During the festivals press conference yesterday April 7th 2011, Steffen performed an exclusive preview of his upcoming show at what promises to be one of those “must see festival” in 2011.
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The number of world-class vocalists can’t be missed this year, including a high percentage of ladies, because in addition to Omar, Bilal, Gino Vannelli and Aloe Blacc The Hague Jazz also welcomes Cassandra Wilson, Rachelle Ferrell, Sheila E, Angie Stone, Randy Crawford, Macy Gray, Lizz Wright, Patti Austin, Zap Mama and Trijntje Oosterhuis.
And like it should be at a festival with Jazz in it’s name, again a number of big jazz names are present, including Bobby Hutcherson, Joey DeFrancesco, Dr Lonnie Smith, Joe Sample, Jef Neve, Joey Calderazzo, David Murray, Donny McCaslin, Kyle Eastwood, Michiel Borstlap, The Ploctones and ‘super group’ The Jazz Message with their homage to Art Blakey.
The crossover to world music is a welcome addition every year, this time with for instance Juan de Marcos Afro Cuban All Stars, Baaba Maal, Trilok Gurtu, Mamani Keita, the aforementioned Zap Mama and Ntjam Rosie. The most popular festival acts are usually the acts that form a genre on their own, like George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic with their p-funk, guitar virtuoso Andy McKee who will amaze many, the inimitable Kruder & Dorfmeister, Tortured Soul with their live-disco and not forgetting our inventors of regional pop Rowwen Hèze.
The choice of Dutch talent is as natural as it is striking this year, with many top talents and exciting new names: Waylon, Gare du Nord, Ruben Hein, Lefties Soul Connection, Benjamin Herman, Monsieur Dubois, State Of Monc, The Jazzinvaders, Steffen Morrison, Ntjam Rosie, Darius Dante, Eefje de Visser, Theo Nijland and the previously mentioned Michiel Borstlap, The Ploctones, Rowwen Hèze and Trijntje Oosterhuis.
And after al these lists a lot of names are left that can lead to surprising personal discoveries, as for instance Andreya Triana, Shining, Dominic Miller, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Danilo Perez and The Sunburst Band. In short, reasons enough to visit the 6th edition of The Hague Jazz and make it a fantastic and long weekend!