5 reasons why you should check out Brussels Jazz Festival 2018
From the 11th till the 20th of January, Flagey organises the fourth edition of Brussels Jazz Festival! Every year in January, this festival strikes down in one of the nicest districts of Brussels. You can enjoy 10 days of non-stop jazz. National and international top musicians and artists offer us a wide range of jazz music, performances, jazz related film screenings, workshops and really cool and classy after parties. We don’t want to miss it, and believe us, neither do you. Out of many shows, here’s our pick to go and check out at Brussels Jazz Festival.
Archie Shepp Quartet
Opening Concert
Thursday 11.01.2018 - 20h15
The grand opening concert by the one and only Archie Shepp Quartet has unfortunately already passed. But we have some awesome footage to show you what this spectacular night was like!
In 2017, this legendary musician and one of the founders of the ‘free jazz’ movement, Archie Shepp celebrated his 80th birthday. That might seem old, but he and his saxophone still got it!
Archie Shepp has also played the soundtrack for the movie Just Friends, directed by Marc-Henri Wajnberg, which will be screened on Thursday 18th of January at 17h30.
Dans Dans
Wednesday 17.01.18 - 19h30
Next up is Dans Dans, our own Belgian jazz pride! This eccentric jazztrio, or should we call them a musical collective, features Bert Dockx (frontman of the Flying Horseman), Frederic Jacques (bassist for Mark Lanegan and a great singer and songwriter himself under the Lyenn moniker) and Steven Cassiers (a much liked and wanted instrumentalist who has collaborated with Dez Mona and DAAU).
They mix blues, electronics and psychedelica into their music, which creates a combination that can’t be pinned down to one genre. Enter their unique and hypnotising musical universe, it’s definitely one of a kind!
The Comet Is Coming
Friday 19.01.18 - 22h30
The Comet Is Coming brings us out into space! Rhythmic, psychedelic and funky jazz vibes are brought to us by London-based space travelers and top musicians King Shabaka, Danalogue and Betamax.
The experimental trio doesn’t only combine jazz, Afrobeat and electronica in an intergalactic mashup, but they are also known for their trippy and mesmerizing visuals and videoclips. Definitely go check them out, if you’re not afraid to be launched into the universe.
Matthew Herbert Brexit Big Band
Closing concert
Saturday 20.01.18 - 21h00
The Big Closing Night Show is by nobody less than Matthew Herbert and his Brexit Big Band!
Matthew Herbert, who’s been performing with his big band and solo all over the world since 2001 is now here with his response to the notorious Brexit.
He started this project, which he calls an ‘apology tour’, when article 50 was triggered (the real start of the Brexit) and will continue until Britain is actually leaving the EU, ending with the release of an album recorded across Europe.
He's definitely breaking barriers with this absolutely bombastic performance. Come see yourself to be blown away!
Flagey Building.
Last but not least, another reason to definitely come visit the festival, is the beautiful Flagey building itself. It was designed by architect Joseph Diongre and used to be home to the National Radio Institute. Therefore the acoustics in the studios, which now function as concert halls, are absolutely outstanding. As one of the main cultural centers of Belgium, Flagey does not only organise the jazz festival, but they offer a wide range of concerts in classical music, jazz, world music and more!
So, these were our picks! But there is much more to be discovered over the next ten days. In short: do we have to give you another reason to come check it out yourself?
Share your own experiences at the Brussels Jazz Festival using #bjf18.
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