The 10th iteration of the Jazz in the Church festival will take place at the Lutheran Church in Bucharest from May 8 to 11, 2025. This event will showcase both established performers known for their significant impact on European jazz and emerging talents.

Leading figures in the lineup include Swiss artist Nik Bärtsch and Greece’s Tania Giannouli, both of whom have captivated European crowds by merging Bärtsch’s minimalistic and conceptual beats with Giannouli’s nuanced lyrical style, which draws from Greek folk traditions.

Each artist boasts an outstanding history of accomplishments. Bärtsch has issued seven albums with ECM, while Giannouli has seen growing global acclaim recently. Together, they command significant festival platforms, delivering a spontaneous and engrossing show that emerges directly from the interplay between them and the present moment.

The festival also features Argentinian composer Javier Girotto, known for creating more than 500 compositions, often in partnership with celebrated artists worldwide. Raised in Córdoba and educated at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in the United States, Girotto’s work showcases a distinctive fusion of his Argentine heritage, extensive understanding of jazz, and inspirations drawn from Italian and Mediterranean cultures. At the event, attendees can enjoy “Aires Tango,” considered one of his standout pieces as per information provided by the organizers.
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Drawing inspiration from the transformation initiated by Astor Piazzolla, Girotto reinvents Argentine tunes and beats into emotive and unexpected instrumental compositions, collaborating with Alessandro Gwis on piano and electronics, Marco Siniscalco on bass, and Francesco De Rubeis on drums. Notable is the participation of Luca Ciarla, recognized as one of today’s most intriguing modern violinists.

To conclude, the band Ill Considered promises to be a highlight of the festival. This UK ensemble leads the way in modern improvisational music, crafting all their pieces spontaneously during performances. Their energetic sessions blend an array of styles such as electronic sounds, drum and bass rhythms, Afrobeat grooves, and elements of spiritual jazz, maintaining rhythm as central to every piece they play.

The first eight editions of the festival were all sold out, and you can now purchase your tickets via Eventbook.

The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 PM:

• Shuteen Erdenebaatar & Nils Kugelmann – Mongolia/Germany (piano, double bass, clarinet, alto clarinet)
• Fergus McCreadie Trio from Scotland (piano, bass, drums)

Friday, May 9, at 7:00 PM:

• Arve Henriksen & Michele Rabbia – from Norway and Italy (trumpet, percussion)
• Nik Bärsch & Tania Giannouli – Switzerland/Greece (keyboard)

Saturday, May 10, at 7:00 PM:

• Vlad Năstase – Romania (organ, piano)
• Javier Girotto Aires Tango & Luca Ciarla – Argentina/Italy (Javier Girotto: saxophone, Alessandro Gwis: piano, Marco Siniscalco: double bass, Francesco De Rubeis: drums, Luca Ciarla: violin)

Sunday, May 11, at 7:00 PM:

• The Charlotte Reinhardt Trio from France consists of Charlotte Reinhardt on piano, Juliette Serrard on cello, and Franck Agulhon on drums.
• Ill Considered – England (saxophone, bass, drums)

radu@romania-insider.com

(Photo credit: Jazz.ro on Facebook)