Storm

There is something in the air. Something unpredictable, something special, something unexpected, something energetic. Something is in motion: dance company OFFprojects, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw and Shabaka Hutchings combine their specialisms to celebrate the unpredictable power of life. In Storm jazz music and contemporary dance form a turbulent tour de force and invite you to embrace the unexpected.

British multi-instrumentalist Shabaka Hutchings is involved in the project as a composer. Together with OFFprojects choreographer Amos Ben-Tal, the two creators draw inspiration from the minimalism of Terry Riley and the pattern-based music of southern Uganda. In this performance, both the dancers and jazz musicians move between fixed phrases and improvised exploration, therefore every performance is different. After all, the most beautiful things usually happen when you least expect them, don’t they? Get ready for a whirlwind of jazz and contemporary dance, harmony and chaos, virtuosity and tenderness. It will be a special evening for both music and dance lovers.

Since its inception, the genre jazz has been inextricably linked to dance. Jazz was the dance music of the early 20th century: lively, rhythmic, and meant to move. With Storm, OFFprojects, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw and Shabaka Hutchings draw on this original energy and natural connection, translating both disciplines into a contemporary and artistic form. Where the poetic movement language of dance company OFFprojects comes together with the dynamics, originality and craftsmanship of Shabaka Hutchings and the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw.

As a central figure in London’s jazz renaissance, Shabaka Hutchings distances himself from the strict “jazz” label and draws inspiration from many sources, from calypso and hip-hop beats to his classical training in London. After leading many influential ensembles such as The Comet is Coming, Sons of Kemet and Shabaka and the Ancestors he embarked on a new path in 2023, focusing primarily on flute. His most recent work, “Perceive its Beauty, Acknowledge its Grace,” was inspired by spiritual jazz and traditional Barbadian music.

The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw consists of world-class Dutch jazz musicians. The JOC bears the name of the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the only concert hall in the world that, in addition to a classical orchestra, also has a jazz orchestra attached to its name. The big band is among the best of Europe, has won several prestigious Edison Awards and has previously collaborated with jazz legends such as Chick Corea, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Joshua Redman. Besides making more than a century of Dutch jazz accessible to new generations, the orchestra also looks ahead and collaborates with contemporary (jazz) musicians from all over the world.