The 10th installment of the Jazz in the Church festival will take place at the Lutheran Church in Bucharest from May 8 to 11, 2025. This event will showcase a blend of musicians known for their significant impact on European jazz alongside emerging talents.
Leading figures in the roster include Swiss composer Nik Bärtsch and Greece’s Tania Giannouli, both of whom have captivated European crowds through their innovative fusion. This collaboration merges Nik Bärtsch’s minimalistic and cerebral beats with Tania Giannouli’s nuanced lyrical expressions, which draw heavily from Greek folk traditions.
Each artist boasts an outstanding history of success; Bärtsch has produced seven albums for ECM, while Giannouli’s reputation has grown significantly on the global stage over recent years. Together as a pair, they’ve enchanted large audiences at top-tier festivals with performances characterized by spontaneity and deep engagement, wherein the music emerges organically through their collaboration.
The festival also features Argentinian musician Javier Girotto, an accomplished composer credited with more than 500 compositions, often created alongside internationally acclaimed artists. Hailing from Córdoba and educated at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in the United States, Girotto’s work showcases a distinctive fusion of his Argentine heritage, extensive understanding of jazz, and inspirations drawn from Italian and Mediterranean cultures. During the event, attendees can enjoy “Aires Tango,” which has been recognized as one of his standout pieces, based on information provided by the organizers.
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Inspired by the revolution brought by Astor Piazzolla, Girotto transforms Argentine melodies and rhythms into instrumental fantasies full of emotion and unpredictability, alongside Alessandro Gwis (piano and electronics), Marco Siniscalco (bass), and Francesco De Rubeis (drums), with special guest Luca Ciarla, considered one of the most interesting contemporary violinists.
To conclude, the group Ill Considered promises to be a highlight of the festival. This British ensemble leads the way in modern improvisational music, crafting all their pieces spontaneously during performances. Their energetic sessions blend an array of styles such as Electronica, Drum & Bass, Afrobeat, and spiritual jazz, with rhythm serving as the foundation.
The first eight editions of the festival were all sold out, and you can now purchase your tickets on Eventbook.
The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 PM:
- Shuteen Erdenebaatar & Nils Kugelmann – Mongolia/Germany (pianist, double bass player, clarinetist, contralto clarinetist)
- The Fergus McCreadie Trio from Scotland consists of piano, bass, and drums.
Friday, May 9, at 7:00 PM:
- Arve Henriksen & Michele Rabbia – Norway/Italy (trumpet, percussion)
- Nik Bärsch & Tania Giannouli – Switzerland/Greece (keyboards)
Saturday, May 10, at 7:00 PM:
- Vlad Năstase – Romania (organ, piano)
- Javier Girotto Aires Tango & Luca Ciarla – Argentina/Italy (Javier Girotto: saxophone, Alessandro Gwis: piano, Marco Siniscalco: double bass, Francesco De Rubeis: drums, Luca Ciarla: violin)
Sunday, May 11, at 7:00 PM:
- The Charlotte Reinhardt Trio from France consists of Charlotte Reinhardt on piano, Juliette Serrard on cello, and Franck Agulhon on drums.
- Ill Considered – England (saxophone, bass, drums)
(Photo credit: Jazz.ro on Facebook)
