Antwerp to celebrate 35th edition of Jazz Middelheim

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Jazz Middelheim will be held for the 35th time in Antwerp this year. With 35 related venues in the Belgian port city. It will include impressive photos of jazz legends, which have played at one or more of the previous jazz festival editions.  Through a special mobile app – ojoo-app, you can easily find the locations of 35 X Jazz Middelheim. All locations, including those in the museums, are free of charge

The jazz festival begins Friday, August 12. That day artist in residence trumpeter Avishai Cohen makes the first of his appearances. He plays with his Quartet. The cd “Into the Silence” which came out early this year, confirms his status as of one of the best trumpeters of our time. Piano phenomenon Ludovico Einaudi closes the first festival day.

On the second day, there is extended attention to the musical heritage of Ornette Coleman. The saxophonist performed in 2007 at Jazz Middelheim. This year, the musicians who played in his last band, pay tribute to the great saxophonist. Among others, his son, drummer Denardo Coleman, is involved in the tribute. Avishai Cohen presents his band The Big Vicious during his second concert at the festival. In addition, the ICP Orchestra with drummer Han Bennink can be heard on the main stage. Alternatively, you can hear the drumming of Billy Hart performing with Eric Thielemans on the Garden Stage.

Patti Smith is part of the contemporary music history. On Saturday 13 August, she performs ‘An Evening of Words and Music’.

Sunday is for the most part dominated by Belgian musicians. Talents of the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, who have collaborated with Avishai Cohen, will perform together at Middelheim. Pianist Jef Neve and rapper Typhoon haver played before and nog show off in Antwerp. Singer Melanie De Biasio ends the day with her mix of pop and jazz.

Monday 14 August, is the final day of Jazz Middelheim. Pianist Craig Taborn plays solo on the main stage.  Next is the so-called Power Trio: saxophonist David Murray, pianist Geri Allen and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. They not only pay tribute to the deceased Grand Master Ornette Coleman, but also to some other individual heroes who died in 2016 as Marcus Belgrave, Charlie Haden and Father Peter O’Brien.

Saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders closes the festival. He brings percussionist Zakir Hussain and pianist Joachim Kühn along.

The first part of the exhibition 35 X Jazz Middelheim was launched in the FoMu (photomuseum of the province Antwerp). Work is shown of Jazz photographers Jos Knaepen, Jacky Lepage and Guy van de Poel, who were on the festival from the early years. Their finest Middelheim-images were selected and bring the visitor back to long-gone jazz years.

More information and tickets: www.jazzmiddelheim.be

Last modified: July 15, 2018