From Friday the 9th to Sunday the 11th of July the annual jazz festival took place again; the festival is held each second weekend of July.
Over the years the festival has grown to fifteen venues, approximately thirteen hundred artists and a visitors every year between sixty five and seventy - widely acknowledged as the "biggest jazz festival in the world"!!! It has a strong reputation for showcasing many different areas of jazz from all eras, from traditional New Orleans jazz to Swing, bebop, fusion, blues, gospel music, funk music, soul music and drum 'n bass.
The warm temperatures have given this issue a sultry character that was interrupted by a large fresh rain on Saturday. The exciting program ensured that the North Sea Jazz Festival 2010 was a great success. Even though it was impossible to see all the shows.
We were able to see (glimpses of) the following shows:
- Pat Metheny Group
- Norah Jones
- Tulio Mourão, Nonato Luiz and Tononho Ferragutti
- Marcus Miller (playing Tutu Revisisted)
- Caetano Veloso
- Tord Gustavsen Ensemble
- The Roots
- Ramón Valle
- Al Green (listen to the concert here)
- Gilberto Gil
- Roberto Fonseca
- Elvis Castello & The Sugarcanes
- Ben Harper (listen to the concert here
- Buddy Guy
- Andy Sheppard
- Joss Stone
During the disappointing World Cup finals we saw Dave Holland y Pepe Habicuela Flamenco Project. The new collaborative project is an inspirational convergence of the boundless jazz vernacular with the spirited passion for flamenco tradition - very powerful music with breathtaking solos where borders, languages and styles seem to desolve. For us the highlight of the whole festival. Fantastic! A short match report:
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Holland vs Spain
While the football has started, Dave Holland plays against Pepe Habichuela Flamenco Quintet. It was rumored that two Spaniards refused to play.
Dave Holland is moving relaxed and pleased that we are here. The room is emptier than usual but there are plenty of fans present at the concert. The concert is a little bit delayed by the slow sound check. The guitars of Pepe Habichuela and Josemi Carmona form the impressive foward of Spain. The rear is represented by the young percussionists Bandolero and Juan Carmona.
Dave Holland is very serious. In his solos, however, he comes to life. If Carmona is trying to tackle him, he just moves on. They play flamenco compositions of Holland that rea more of fusion character in melody. However, it is played with heart and soul. Sometimes just offside but that's part of the edgy flamenco. Perfection is indeed killing the game. The rear can occasionally score with just subtle interplay on cajon and percussion. If Bandolero and Juan are not needed, they run off the stage. Are they watching something else?
After each solo, even during Holland's solo, the audience burst into loud applause. The musicians encourage each other and call here and there OLE and are imitated by the public. A very loud and dry OLE attracts even some laughter.
Holland and Habichuela duel in a beautiful tribute to the legendary singer Cameron. Between the passionate solos during the quiet passages you hear noise from outside. Cheers, has there been scored? The youthful "defence" comes back on stage, but you can see nothing on their faces ...
The game between Holland and Spain is definitely worthy flamenco. A successful fusion project!
Listen to the concert here.
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Disappointment: missing Stevie Wonder due to changes in the program as a consequence of Holland playing in the final.
Already looking forward to next years edition!!! Hope to meet you there.
