Europe is a source of new crossovers in jazz and world music. An inspiring example is the new album Sharqi Blues by Dutch guitarplayer Jan Wouter Oostenrijk (JWO), where energetic bellydance orientated rhythms melt with jazzy improvisations that move from Bebop phrases ...to screaming Blues and Rock ..to Oriental 'Maqam' like playing. On the album former Joe Zawinul drummer Karim Ziad from Algeria was invited to play the drums.
JWO released innovative music crossovers before. His album Maghreb Jazz Guitar (2007) got a Radioindy 'Golden Artist' award in the USA and their interpretation of famous jazztune Caravan appeared on several compilations including the EMI label. Check JWO's blog MaghrebJazz
In 2008 JWO participated in international music exchange program the 'Holland/ Egypt' project in Cairo at Cultural Centre Makan
From there he started hanging out with musicians from the Cairo Jazz scene what finally led to the Sharqi Blues album that's been recorded in Amsterdam, Cairo and Casablanca.
With a new line up the band is preparing a tour in the Netherlands and in Egypt starting from may this year...check www.jwo.nu for details.
For more info, audiostreaming and distribution check JWO's website and profile on All About Jazz.
Dutch media quotes about Sharqi Blues
Guitarplayer JWO's new beautiful CD “Sharqi Blues certainly blows a strong North- African wind in our country ...a sandstorm also noticable around the world. (source Dutch Radio 6 World and MusicFromNL)
Unlike over- discussed integration issues, Sharqi blues shows that the multicultural society is capable of great achievements (source JazzFlits magazine)
Howling electric guitar, rhythm section, hammond organ facing twinkling qanun and a flamboyant Egyptian String Orchestra creates Horny Funky Bellydance in a post modern line-up with constantly changing soundscapes (source Volkskrant 4 stars****)
JWO released innovative music crossovers before. His album Maghreb Jazz Guitar (2007) got a Radioindy 'Golden Artist' award in the USA and their interpretation of famous jazztune Caravan appeared on several compilations including the EMI label. Check JWO's blog MaghrebJazz
In 2008 JWO participated in international music exchange program the 'Holland/ Egypt' project in Cairo at Cultural Centre Makan
From there he started hanging out with musicians from the Cairo Jazz scene what finally led to the Sharqi Blues album that's been recorded in Amsterdam, Cairo and Casablanca.
With a new line up the band is preparing a tour in the Netherlands and in Egypt starting from may this year...check www.jwo.nu for details.
For more info, audiostreaming and distribution check JWO's website and profile on All About Jazz.
Dutch media quotes about Sharqi Blues
Guitarplayer JWO's new beautiful CD “Sharqi Blues certainly blows a strong North- African wind in our country ...a sandstorm also noticable around the world. (source Dutch Radio 6 World and MusicFromNL)
Unlike over- discussed integration issues, Sharqi blues shows that the multicultural society is capable of great achievements (source JazzFlits magazine)
Howling electric guitar, rhythm section, hammond organ facing twinkling qanun and a flamboyant Egyptian String Orchestra creates Horny Funky Bellydance in a post modern line-up with constantly changing soundscapes (source Volkskrant 4 stars****)
