Midsummer around

Today might get heated – you have been warned.
Like we already said in April – the week, where John Zorn returns to the Balkans, and Snarky Puppy are touring between Ljubljana, Belgrade and Lviv, we decided to listen to some old and new things by both Zorn and Snarky Puppy.
John Zorn has had a steady presence on the Balkans, with numerous projects – this year in Ljubljana, on June 19th, he came with “Bagatelles” or short pieces that we had the pleasure of listening to in Sarajevo two years ago. “Bagatelles” are way closer to chamber music than anything else. Most typical for this kind of project is the short duration of each piece. With Zorn the sudden change of instruments and moods is a trademark. Ikue Mori’s electronic music, followed by two cellos, an American metal band and a Nova quartet – a real carousel; for the “Asmodeus” project, where Marc Ribot, Kenny Grohowski and Trevor Dunn gathered energy – we can’t even talk about. So we impatiently await to get information from this year’s visitors of the showcase.
Yes, John Zorn collaborates with an army of first class musicians – pianists, bassists, drummers – and they are all never afraid of trying anything new!
And we, as people that listened to the Bagatelles marathon two years ago in Sarajevo, this year we go to Belgrade. On our way there we listen to Snarky Puppy, who after the closing of the Ljubljana Jazz Fest, are surprisingly coming even closer to us – at an open air at Kale Megdan in the capital city of Serbia on June 23rd.
Two conclusions can be made here – Zorn’s love for the Balkans and the warmth of the audience can only spark joy. So many world class musicians, piled up in one place in the course of a week is something to remember.
Snarky puppy are a big band, even in chamber composition they are at least 12 people – also something to note.
To wrap things up – this week in Ljubljana and Belgrade is a festival week – for everyone that goes, it will be a real pleasure for the senses. That’s why the MA team, completely emerged in the summer mood, keep listening and listening to music. We ride the summer wave with full force, while we are packing our bags for the summer. And we’re not hiding – there’s a cat in one of the videos.
A couple of things selected today – like the ones by Zorn accompanied by sublime musicians, amongst which the Nova quartet – Kenny Wollesen, John Medeski, Trevor Dunn and Joey Baron, followed by Julian Lage and Gyan Riley. And to top it all off – Brian Marsella, Kenny Wollessen and Trevor Dunn.
And let’s not forget Snarky Puppy and Michael League.
Lingus, Shofukan, Xavi.
That’s it from the Balkans this week – the week with the longest summer day.
June 2019
Photo ©МА