Vincent Thekal Origami Trio + 2

For this fourth concert of 'Carte Blanche', saxophonist Vincent Thekal will be presenting some his latest compositions for his core trio - built around Slovenian bassist Robert Jukic and Italian drummer Armando Luongo - with a one-time band featuring amazing Tunisian pianist Wajdi Riahi and rising star saxophonist Elly Brouckmans. As noted by Downbeat's Ron hart when listening to his critically acclaimed trio album ‘Origami’, Few tenors in the 21st century have captured the expanse between beauty and complexity quite like Thekal - indeed, the trio really is the prime vessel of Thekal's unique expression, both as a composer and instrumentalist. Vincent Thekal has recorded 4 solo albums - from intricate originals to straight-ahead tradition - and has performed with Bob Mover, Dre Pallemaerts, Jerome Sabbagh, David Bryant, Franck Agulhon & many others - at top jazz clubs (Jazz Keller, Sunset/Sunside, Sounds…) and high-profile European festivals (Jazz à Vienne, Nancy Jazz Pulsations, Millau en Jazz, Dinant Jazz...) The trio is my main voice, but for this edition of 'Carte Blanche' I've written special arrangements for a 5-piece - with the post romantic voice of Wajdi and the superb phrasing and sound of Elly, both highly gifted improvisers, it's going to be exciting to hear these tunes through the different perspective of expanded instrumentation and interplay. »