Brandee Younger Trio + Dishwasher_

Brandee Younger Trio

Within jazz, the harp is a bit of a niche instrument. With her choice for the harp, Brandee Younger (1983) is following in the footsteps of renowned artists like Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane. She manages to set herself apart though by using her harp in unusual contexts, which include classically inspired solo pieces and jazz quintets, but also pop and hip hop.

Younger tries to keep an open mind, which makes her a popular guest musician. She features on albums by Robert Glasper, Christian McBride, BADBADNOTGOOD, John Legend and Durand Jones. She also shares her knowledge with the next generation of jazz musicians through master classes and residencies in the USA, Canada and the UK.

In 2021, Younger’s sixth album “Somewhere Different” came out through the legendary jazz label Impulse. Of that album, the song ‘Beautiful is Black’ was nominated for a Grammy for best instrumental composition. Younger’s latest album “Brand New Life” came out in April 2023, also via Impulse.

Dishwasher_

There has been a lot of jazz talent in recent years in Flanders. In 2019, saxophonist Werend van den Bossche, bassist Louise van den Heuvel and drummer Arno Grootaers joined forces to form Dishwasher_. With their debut single ‘Home Cinema’, the band already got a lot of praise in the press.

With a busy touring schedule that includes shows in Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, the band has been on the rise in recent years. They also won the Young Jazz talent award at the Gendt Jazz Festival. In April, their self-titled debut album came out, which delivered on the promise of their shows and early work.

Their music is a refreshing mix of raw free jazz, melodious sections and electronic sound effects. You can hear influences in their music that range from Jon Hassell and Mammal Hands on the one hand, to the Balkan and the Middle East on the other. With their music, the band is exploring and crossing the boundaries of the genre, taking the audience along with it.

Festival Jazz International Nijmegen takes place between 25 and 29 October 2023 on several locations in Nijmegen and is a collaborative effort with Brebl, Doornroosje, Festivalhuis Nijmegen, the Nijmegen municipality, Lindenberg Cultuurhuis, LUX, Music Meeting, Podium JIN, the Stadsschouwburg and De Vereeniging. For more info and tickets, please check www.fjin.nl.