The headliner of the Spring Bratislava Jazz Days (Jarné BJD) is renowned Israeli singer Ester Rada who debuted only five years ago and whose inspiration is, alongside legends like Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, and Ella Fitzgerald, the music of vibraphonist and percussionist Mulatu Astatke, founder of Ethiopian jazz.
Ester Rada is of Ethiopian origin, with her family descending from the lost Biblical tribe that relocated to Israel. Her hit Life Happens garnered much acclaim, and she was also warmly welcomed at the Slovak festival Pohoda in 2016. However, she will probably present her new repertor in the first club gig in Bratislava, as her recent album Different Eyes was released only in August 2017.
Estonian singer and US drummer
Supporting music in the beginning of the evening – starting April 28 at 19:00 in the Ateliér Babylon venue in downtown capital – will be Kadri Voorand, Estonian jazz singer, pianist and composer who received the Estonian Music Award last year as the Performer of the Year for her Armupurjus album. Kadri Voorand creates innovative contemporary jazz with improvisation, including Estonian folk elements. In the Bratislava evening, she will be joined by bassist Mihkel Mälgand, organisers wrote in a press release.
Renowned drummer Omar Hakim and pianist Rachel Z (his wife/rock keyboardist, Grammy laureate for collaboration on Tokyo Blue with Najee) explore new territories with OZ Experience – the spontaneous composition project focusing on groove. In Bratislava, they will perform with ex-Joe Zawinul Syndicate, bassist Linley Marthe of Mauritius, and French guitarist Louis Winsberg.
Omar Hakim, once drummer of legendary fusion band Weather Report, has played also with Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Roy Ayers, George Benson, John Scofield, Joe Sample, and Lee Ritenour. He also has a career in pop, playing with Kate Bush, David Bowie, Sting, Dire Straits, Madonna, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey.
