Semifinal I
Tue 8 April, 2025
19.30h CvA Blue Stage
Free admission
AL'DAM Connection
Mireu Han, alto saxophone
Alberto Romanillos, trumpet
Jose Diego Sarabia Muñoz, trombone
Pedro Mendes, piano
Quentin Fournet-Fayas, double bass
Dane Paris, drums
AL’DAM Connection is a musical project led by Jose Diego Sarabia Muñoz, featuring great musicians from the Amsterdam jazz scene. The music embodies the artistic introspection of the band leader who seeks to create a dialogue between his South-Spanish roots, from Almería, with the cultural influences of Amsterdam, where he developed his musical language. Their music blends hip-hop grooves with Brazilian and Latin rhythms as well as more traditional sounds to give the band a unique and original personality.
TJ’s Pretty People
Teddy Sicking, jazz and classical violin
Mikołaj Tarczyński, electric guitar
Anton Tuxen, electric bass
Jesper van den Eijnden, drums
TJ’s Pretty People is an Amsterdam-based jazz fusion band led by violinist Teddy Sicking. She combines her roots in jazz and classical music, resulting in the band’s unique repertoire inspired by composers like Wayne Shorter and Arthur Honegger. Teddy is looking for her own sound by mixing violin with effects pedals and vocals. So, what’s that music like? Imagine crazy grooves, soothing ballads and lush soundscapes with free elements. In January of 2024, TJ’s Pretty People played in the finals of the Jonge Makers Prijs of the Nederlands Vioolconcours.
Anna Zavorina String Quartet
Teddy Sicking, violin
Linda Lukas, violin
Ida Weidner, viola
Anna Zavorina, double bass
Anna’s string quartet is a quartet that intuitively blends jazz arrangements and original compositions with choral harmonies, creating a natural dialogue between strings and voice. We are deeply moved by composers of the 20th century and trying to learn from a masters! Body&Soul is arranged in a style of 4 composers, try to guess!
Sage
Romain Gachot, trumpet
Grégoire Kieffer, piano
Duarte Fernandes, double bass
Alexander Ivanov, drums
Blending jazz with traditional music and French Impressionism, the group SAGE redefines musical boundaries. Inspired by Modern Jazz influences, their respective backgrounds lend different touches of color to the music they play, all centered around jazz. Their music is meant to connect with listeners through the songs they write.
Matti Klessascheck Sextet
Matti Klessascheck, alto saxophone
Rasmus Lagerberg, vibraphone
Torin Davies, guitar
Matthieu Le Coz, piano
Federico Campanello, double bass
Alejandro Martin Puchau, drums
Writing music for this band feels a bit like weaving on a loom. Every thread must be carefully placed next to the other - tight enough to ensure the fabric holds together, yet loose enough for it to remain flexible. The interweaving of vibraphone, guitar and piano, three instruments that can serve a double role - harmonic and melodic, demands patience and attention to detail; at the same time, it is offering room for new freedom. Matti handles the loom with care, keeping each individual player in mind. In his band he is joined by five fellow students from CvA, who find great joy in making music together and bringing the woven to life