Madhara is a band of six international musicians situated in The Hague and Rotterdam (Leah Uijterlinde - singer / composer / multi-instrumentalist, Angelina Engels - cellist, Giorgos Pouliasis - drums, Denis Daniel - bass, Rok Zolakar - piano, Stefano Sgarbi - didgeridoo / sound effects). The versatile background of the group enables them to explore and build many different layers in their songs. Interaction between drums, percussion and electronic beats, provide the music with a rich rhythmical pallet. Sweet acoustic melodies on clarinet and cello are alternated by electronics, dreamy piano by heavy synths, explosive solo’s by mellow beats. Strong vocal lines will keep you from getting lost throughout this colorful journey. Madhara’s aim is to create a context in which her audience has time and space to connect with one another through music. Madhara found a way to enhance pop music by implementing rich elements from other styles such as jazz and world music. Boosted by electronics, the music brings you to new dimensions that never fails to surprise Inspired by artists such as: Alt-J | Amon Tobin | Binkbeats | Bonobo | Diabote | Flying Lotus | Hidden Orchestra | Kyteman | Portico Quartet | Submotion Orchestra | Tinariwen | “We crafted a journey full of magical, unexpected surprises, for you to enjoy.”

The Power, Fire and Optimism of Jazz Music meets the Spirit of Shamanism and Enchanting Ancient Chants from Lithuania. Rugilė Daujotaitė - voice / flute (graduated MA Jazz Vocals at the Amsterdam Conservatory with a "10"), will be joining her long years musical partner, most extraordinary genius piano player Robert Rook, alongside Thomas Winther Andersen (bass), a drummer with roots in African rhythms - Bart van Helsdingen, and 2 backing vocalists (Edwin Oranje - vocals / electronics, Mirjam Duba - vocals / percussion); to accompish the unique 3-voiced folk chants that will find their place in this modern spiritual power mix. Rugilė has written new lyrics that puts 'new light' in such jazz masterpieces as Jazz Crimes, Nica's Dream, Resolution, The Peacocks and many more ... Merging with the magic of sound and words, opening up for the unique expression of the soul!

Naftule is an energetic and happy cocktail of jazz, klezmer, latin and cabaret. Even though based in the Netherlands the bands line up is very international (Nadia Basurto - voice, Bernardo Parrilla - sax, Yoojin Ko - flute, Emilio Parrilla - clarinet, Syo Fang - piano, Jonathan Ho Chin. - bass, Richie Struck - drums); Thus a combination of musical styles is a given. The music tells stories of these different backgrounds that connect with the audience throughout the concert. "Happy, warm, high quality grooving and very professional" (Jazzritmit, 2017) They recorded their first album "El viaje de Naftule" in 2016. Naftule have performed in festivals and venues in Spain, Germany, Finland, Korea and Netherlands: Yokohama Jazz Festival (Japan), Sori Festival (Korea), Jazzolontia (Spain), Jazz in Het Dorp (Netherlands), Kaamosjazz (Finland), Festival Alles Muss Raus (Germany).

Ocobar is the band of Cok van Vuuren (guitars) and the brothers Rob Wijtman (drums and percussion) and Bart Wijtman (bass and piano). The band is known from the legendary sportsprogram Holland Sport. They also did tours with the famous Wilfried de Jong (‘Man & Fiets and Non Stop new York. Furthermore they did several tours with comedian Freek de Jonge. In 2017, 2018 and 2019 Ocobar is touring throughout The Netherlands on their own with a show called ‘de oerknal van rock- ‘n roll (the big bang of rock and roll) in which they go back to the early days of rock and roll. Think the Sun Studio in Memphis.

Rangel Silaev (2000) and Valentine Blangé (1998) met at the School for Young Talent at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. When they toured together in Greece in the autumn of 2017, the musical 'spark' struck, and since then they have formed a steady duo. Program: L. Van Beethoven - Sonata for piano and violin op. 12 no. 1 - I. Allegro con brio, III. Rondo (allegro). | S. Rachmaninov - Vocalise Op. 34 No. 14. | E. Granados / F. Kreisler - from the Spanish danses, no. 5, Andaluza. | N. Paganini - Cantabile. | C. Saint-Saëns - Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso.

Ruins & Remains: Exact a century ago World War I came to an end. This drama on an unprecedented scale, has left deep wounds and marks the transition from the 'old' to the 'new' Europe. Although this continent has never known such a long period of peace we also see parallels in the 21st century with that era. Inspired by this, pianist Wolfert Brederode composed a 70 minutes long suite consisting of ten consecutive parts for piano, percussion and string quartet. It is a composition in which the duality of mankind emerges through improvisation versus composition, minor versus major, abstract versus tonal, but in which these two sides also form a synthesis in an idiosyncratic musical universe. A musical contemplation about the destructive side of men but also an ode to its resilience. Musicians: Joost (drums) and Wolfert are internationally active as eclectic musicians and belong to the Dutch jazz top. Apart from their own projects, like Joost’s ‘Under the Surface and the Wolfert Brederode Trio (ECM) they are working together in various ensembles but they also form a duo. Their album ‘One’, was unanimously well received by the press. The Matangi Quartet (Maria-Paula Majoor - violin
, Daniel Torrico Menacho - violin, Karsten Kleijer - viola, Arno van der Vuurst - cello), has been one of the leading string quartets in Dutch musical life for almost two decades with the most diverse projects and collaborations. The musicians have already joined forces with various dance, theater and television productions. For their album ‘Jazzics!’ Wolfert composed the spiritual and melancholical work ‘Shadowchild’. With the 'Ruins & Remains' project, the long-cherished wish to jointly present an accessible but also enigmatic concert program on Dutch and international stages is fulfilled.

Aktas' group plays original compositions by Aktas Erdogan, where the rhythmic and the melodic effect of turkish/middle eastern music meets with jazz, funk and pop. Aktas Erdogan is a composer/multi-instrumentalist artist has a Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish roots where he got his musicality in young ages from. He lived most of his life in Istanbul. He has studied classical guitar at the Hague Conservatory and jazz guitar at Brussel Conservatory. Beside his guitar playing he plays traditional instruments such as ney, duduk, kaval, saz and oud in world music ensembles. During his studies he won “the Best Dutch Guitarist Prize at Twents Gitaar Festival”. He was also one of the winners at 2nd edition of “Istanbul Classical Guitar Festival”. His first clsassical music solo album “Dreamers of Dream” is released in 2015. Erdogan performed and toured with different projects and artists in 2017 such as Holon Women’s Festival (Israel), Melbourne Recital Center (Australia), Tanjazz Festival (Morroco), Calcutta Jazz Festival and Hyderabad Jazz Festival (India). He is living curently in Rotterdam. Aktas Erdogan (guitar / woodwinds / compositions), Adnan Dura (saxophone), Yiannis Karygiannis (piano), Alessio Bruno (contrabass), George Panaite (drums).

Although The Dawn Brothers aren’t actually brothers, they are brothers in rock n’ roll indeed. Inspired by classic songwriters from bands like CCR, The Rolling Stones and Otis Redding, they bring on their pure roots tracks like a steamrolling train. With their debut album ‘Stayin’ Out Late’ they ride the waves from past to the future and they prove that sexy, soulfull rock ‘n’ roll is still relevant today. In their own words: “We play the old souls from the future”. Meanwhile the first single ‘Get Down The Road’ is climbing the charts. They future looks brite for these guys.

Kris Berry is a lady singer, she played at the North Sea Jazz Festival en won in 2016 the NPO Radio 6 Soul & Jazz Award. In april she toured with Grammy-winnar and jazzlegend Gregory Porter through Great Britain. End of May Kris released the album 'Berry Street'.She recorded this album with famous producers Chris Soper and Jesse Singer, who worked with famous artist like John Legend and The Roots.

Antwerp city, with its harbor, has always been a melting pot of different cultures. The Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra reflects that openness in an intriguing way; seven musicians with very diverse musical backgrounds have teamed up to combine the pure, raw energy of authentic Roma Gipsy melodies with the ultra-danceable ska groove.