Art Ensemble of Chicago
It is a dream for any jazz festival to present the legendary cult band Art Ensemble of Chicago. The band will play two night concerts at Energimølla during this year's festival, on Friday 7 July and Saturday 8 July.
Right from the beginning in the 1960s, the Art Ensemble of Chicago has had a very special position with many dedicated jazz lovers. The band is basically a free jazz band, but draws elements from the entire jazz tradition, and a lot of other music as well, into its music. The musical expression is extremely varied; it can be emotional, chaotic, hard-swinging, energetic and transgressive. And it's never boring!
Saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell was one of the founders of AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Music). Out of this environment grew the Art Ensemble of Chicago. From the first note, the band stood out as something very special. All the musicians played many different instruments, and dressing up and face painting made the concerts visual experiences as well. Drummer Don Moye and Mitchell are the only ones left from the original line-up, but the band is still as attractive as ever. Recently, the band played three nights at the well-reputed venue Café Oto in London. The audience's enthusiasm was so enormous that they were immediately engaged for three new concerts in October. But before that, there will be two concerts at Kongsberg!
Roscoe Mitchell (saxophones, flute), Hugh Ragin (trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo), Jaribu Shahid (bass), Don Moye (drums)
NB! The Art Ensemble of Chicago also plays a concert on Saturday, July 8, at the same time and place. Click here for tickets for Saturday 8 July.
NB! Standing room only!
