Final

Wed 16 April, 2025
19.30h Bimhuis
Free admission

Bands from Escola Superior de Musica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain; Jazz Performance Programme NTNU, Trondheim, Norway; Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA; Manhattan School of Music, New York, USA, and the winners of the semifinals from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.

ESMUC Quintet | Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya, Barcelona

Cristopher Pérez, tenor sax 
Paco Fernández, trumpet 
Biel Roca, piano
David Muñoz, double bass 
Eloy Mañogil, drums

The ESMUC Quintet is a dynamic ensemble of rising jazz musicians, each bringing a unique voice and deep musical background. Formed in Barcelona, the group blends tradition and modernity, drawing from a wide range of influences. Tenor saxophonist Cristopher Pérez, originally from the Canary Islands, crafts a distinctive sound inspired by jazz greats like Lester Young and Mark Turner. Trumpeter Paco Fernández, with a strong classical foundation, explores jazz with mentors like Joan Mar Sauqué and Joe Magnarelli. Pianist Biel Roca, an award- winning musician, brings sensitivity and depth honed at ESMUC. Double bassist David Muñoz, a festival veteran, has shared the stage with top artists, including Félix Rossy. Drummer Eloy Mañogil, rooted in both classical and modern music, adds rhythmic complexity influenced by legends like Brian Blade.

Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors | Berklee Global Jazz Institute, Boston

Samuel Cerra, vibraphone 
Liz Sinn, piano
Devon Gates, double bass 
Seba Ramirez, drums

The Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors is an ensemble of forward-thinking musicians who push the boundaries of jazz through innovation, cultural fusion, and masterful improvisation. Representing the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, this group embodies the spirit of exploration and collaboration. Bassist and vocalist Devon Gates, with experience at Harvard and Berklee, has performed at top festivals alongside jazz luminaries. Drummer Seba Ramírez, known for his eclectic style, blends jazz with Paraguayan and contemporary influences, expanding the possibilities of rhythm. Pianist Liz Sinn is a versatile performer and composer whose collabora- tions span jazz, Latin, pop, and musical theater. Vibraphonist Samuel Cerra brings a pianistic approach to his instrument, crafting expressive and harmonically rich narratives.

Kollage | Manhattan School of Music, New York

Sarahfina Osei, voice
Cameron Sewell-Snyder, alto saxophone 
Olivier van Niekerk, guitar
Shogo Yamagishi, bass
Kabelo Mokhatla, drums

Kollage is a collective of international jazz musicians dedicated to blending diverse influences into a bold, contemporary sound. Formed in New York City, the band brings together artists from across the globe, each with a distinct musical voice shaped by deep-rooted traditions and forward-thinking innovation. Saxophonist Cameron Sewell-Snyder fuses American and European jazz elements, drawing from his mentorship under Dick Oatts and Jaleel Shaw. Vocalist Sarahfina Osei brings a rich, soulful presence, seamlessly weaving jazz, composition, and production. Guitarist Olivier van Niekerk, deeply influenced by the European jazz scene, adds intricate textures shaped by his experiences in Amsterdam and Paris. Bassist Shogo Yamagishi provides a dynamic and versatile foundation, anchoring the ensemble’s sound. Drummer Kabelo Mokhatla, with an expansive career spanning South Africa to New York, infuses the band with rhythmic depth and creative energy.

Moon Inhabitants | NTNU Bachelor in Performing Music - Jazz, Trondheim

Åsne Fossmark, saxophone
Mikkel Dahl Amundsen, trumpet
Sondre Moshagen, piano
Johannes Wilhelm Burns Lykkås, double bass 
Jørgen Fiske, drums and percussion

Moon Inhabitants is a quintet with a playful and spontaneous approach to written composition, and a philosophy that anything goes. Dynamic extremes are in focus and the music is inspired by 60s free jazz, with modern inflictions. The result is high energy, unpredictable improvisation, and playful naivety.

Calima | Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Miguel Valente, alto sax

Marco Ullstein, vibraphone

Jules Charbonnier, piano

Ton Felices, double bass

Ludvig Holde Søndergaard, drums

Calima is a bold new project born from a shared passion for expressive, improvised music. Featuring vibraphone, piano, alto sax, drums, and double bass, the band crafts a dynamic soundscape full of energy, emotion, and spontaneity. Their music is an immersive journey - balancing rhythmic interplay with collective improvisation - guiding the listener through a compelling narrative from start to finish. With a seamless blend of structure and freedom, Calima keeps audiences engaged with every twist and turn. Like the warm, sand-carrying winds that inspired their name, Calima blurs boundaries and transforms shapes, offering a fresh, fluid, and captivating take on contemporary jazz.

Evan's Super Duper Group & Fun | Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Carolina Gemmell, voice

Evan van der Feen, piano

David Guerreiro, double bass  
Ludvig Holde Søndergaard, drums

Evan’s Super Duper Group & Fun is an Amsterdam-based quartet led by the visionary Evan van der Feen. Having stolen his band members from their homes in Denmark and Spain, Evan reshapes the impossible into the possible. Tolerating nothing less than perfection, together they go out on a journey to fight with smite and lose it in the music.
 

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