'Oorstof (the Antwerp-based organisation that has been giving abundant attention to concerts by improvisation artists for several years now), Les Ateliers Claus and AB (two Brussels-based institutions) are joining forces for the first time to offer a stage to some of the top performers in the free improv scene'.

ARASHI: AKIRA SAKATA - PAAL NILSSEN-LOVE - JOHAN BERTHLING

About ten years ago, Arashi was formed from a pact forged between three leading figures of free jazz and improv. Renowned Japanese saxophonist Akira Sakata found in Swedish bassist Johan Berthling (Fire!) and Norwegian drummer Paal Nilssen-Love (The Thing) the ideal accomplices for what can now be called one today’s most dynamic and energetic trios.

The exceptional stamina of the three musicians and the drive to transcend themselves and the music are what made their first concert at the Molde Jazz festival in 2013 a huge success. They translated that to the studio several days later, where they recorded a modern classic on the album ‘Arashi-Storm’ (Trost Records). Two years later, the trio released a second LP ‘Semikujira’, which also served as a soundtrack. Their most recent CD ‘Jikan’ was recently released on PNL Records. Following previous tours of Europe and Japan, and a series of postponed attempts due to the pandemic, Arashi will now be present for a long-awaited new series of European concerts.

Saxophonist Akira Sakata, born in 1945, represents the very core of Japanese free jazz and has established a solid live reputation during his career. Together with drummer Takeo Moriyama and pianist Yosuke Yamashita, he conquered Europe and the United States during several tours. Sakata astounded audiences as recently as 2022 with a set on the Claus stage aside the enthralling Entasis (Di Domenico, Damianidis, Skoric). With Arashi, he continues to spread that powerful Japanese free jazz worldwide.

Over the course of his career, Johan Berthling has revealed himself to be a true powerhouse on the double bass, thanks to his work for like Tape, Fire! and Angles 9. He is also the founder of the Häpna Records label and in 2022 – together with Oren Ambarchi and Andreas Werliin – he was responsible for one of the best releases of the year: ‘Ghosted’ on American label Drag City.

Paal Nilssen-Love is probably Norway's most active drummer. He has been demonstrating his undeniable power and dynamic for many years now, in the company of the likes of Peter Brötzmann, Mats Gustafsson (The Thing), Dave Rempis (Ballister), Ken Vandermark, Terrie Ex (Lean Left) and with bigger bands Large Unit and Circus.

 

AMALIE DAHL - HENRIK SANDSTAD DALEN - JOMAR JEPPSSON SØVIK

Dahl/Dalen/Søvik is an improv trio from Oslo. With a background in free jazz, noise and avant-garde, they play music inspired by the likes of Anthony Braxton, Mette Rasmussen and Ingebrigt Håker Flaten.

The trio consists of Oslo-based Dane Amalie Dahl (Dafnie, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra) on alto sax and the Norwegian rhythm tandem of Henrik Sandstad Dalen (Passe Planta, Sex Magick Wizards) on double bass and Jomar Jeppsson Søvik (Actual Music) on drums. All three are a part of Oslo’s thriving improv scene. Their debut album ‘Fairytales For Daydreamers’ will be released in March on Nice Things Records. This is a live recording of their very first concert, on which the listener can experience how the trio strikes sparks in a lively and adventurous 45 minute set. Self-assured, they navigate their way from a polite round of introductions through in-depth musical conversations and furious diatribes to an eventual reconciliation. As if they have known each other their entire lives.

A Liveurope concert:

The first pan-European initiative supporting concert venues in their efforts to promote emerging European music.