I SOLISTI, Jan Michiels

This concert is a celebration of the cross-fertilisation between jazz and classical, both a century ago and today.

After the First World War, many European composers were taken with American jazz. Among them were Bohuslav Martinů, Ervín Schulhoff and Francis Poulenc, who eagerly took inspiration from jazz and used it in a few of their most vibrant chamber works. 

In The Duke Story, I SOLISTI combine these pieces with new compositions by Erik Desimpelaere, based on world-famous tunes by one of the most important jazz stars of the 1920s, Duke Ellington. 

I SOLISTI is not only a group of excellent wind players, it is above all an ensemble continually on the lookout for programmes and concert formulas that surprise, delight and amaze. 

The Duke Story is right up their alley: it’s a musical adventure without boundaries, that sees opposition as opportunity and that connects the best of two worlds.

Part of UUR KULTUUR KU Leuven - info UUR KULTUUR tickets

Recording by Klara for the program Klara Live.