It is a dream for any jazz festival to present the legendary cult band Art Ensemble of Chicago. The band will hold two midnight shows at Energimølla on Friday 7th. and Saturday 8th of July.
From the very beginning of the 1960s, Art Ensemble of Chicago has held a very special place for many dedicated jazz lovers. The band is basically a jazz band, but draws elements from the entire jazz tradition, and a lot of other music as well. Their musical expression is extremely varied; it may be emotional, chaotic, hard-swinging, energetic and without limits. It is never boring!
Saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell was one of the founders of the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Music). Out of this environment came Art Ensemble of Chicago. From its first note the band was seen as something special. All the musicians played many different instruments, and the clothing and face paint made the concerts a visual experience as well. Percussionist Don Moye, and saxophonist Mitchell are the only remaining from the original lineup, yet the band is as attractive as ever. Recently the band played three evenings at the prestigious venue Café Oto in London. The enthusiasm of the crowd was so enormous that they were immediately booked for three new concerts in October. But before that there will be two concerts in Kongsberg!
Roscoe Mitchell (saxophones, flute), Hugh Ragin (trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet), Jaribu Shahid (bass), Don Moye (drums)
Art Ensemble of Chicago will also play on Friday 7th July, same time and place. Link to tickets here.
