ADJA + LUCA Bigband ft Tutu Puoane

ADJA

ADJA is the project of 30CC focus artist Adja Fassa.

As a maker, singer and performer, she is quickly making a name for herself in Belgium as a multidisciplinary talent with big plans. In 2022, she won the Soundtrack edition Brussels and in January 2023, Belgian newspaper De Morgen selected her as one of the six Belgian music promises of 2023: “Her debut EP is style-wise reminiscent of the spiritual neo-soul of Erykah Badu, the black empowerment of Solange and the velvety approach of Lianne La Havas. Not a bad club to join, we think.”

In addition to being a singer, she is also a theatre maker, in the development phase of what she calls “sophisticated soul in a hybrid concert format”: with music central, her live shows gradually take on a theatrical character. All this is from a desire to depict the subconscious and especially the feelings we experience at the tipping points of our lives, into a total experience.

At Leuven Jazz, she presents her debut EP IRONEYE, in collaboration with groove-obsessed music label Sdban Ultra and 30CC. She combines this brand-new work with a homage to jazz icon Nina Simone. “Nina Simone is definitely one of my heroines. A soul that I ask as a source of strength to accompany me on this journey and that I invite to tell what it has not yet had the chance to say.”

Interview with Adja in RTBF Classic 21 Lounge (English)

LUCA big band ft Tutu Puoane

We just received the sad news that singer Zoë Modiga won't arrive in Belgium in time due to visa problems. Together with the LUCA big band, however, we switched quickly and found a more than worthy replacement in Tutu Puoane.

Led by conductor Frank Vaganée, the LUCA big band and Tutu Puoane will perform an African and often swinging repertoire, as well as a selection of protest songs.

The talented South African jazz singer Tutu Puoane lives in Antwerp since 2004 and radiates her origins in her artistic repertoire, with which she does not shy away from collaborations with big names such as Toots Thielemans. She has collaborated with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra on several occasions, including for the acclaimed record Mama Africa, in which she celebrated the great Miriam Makeba. It earned her the South African Music Award for Best Traditional Jazz Album of 2011.
Tutu Puoane is synonymous with jazz and soul, with an African touch. Her voice has a seductive timbre and can be heard in English and her native language, Sependi. During Leuven Jazz 2022, she shone in a collaboration with the swinging Rebirth::Collective and before that she also performed the Joni Mitchell project with guest musician Tineke Postma at 30CC.

Timetable

• 17.00 h: BURn sings Nina 90 in the foyer
• 20.00 – 21.00 h: LUCA bigband ft Tutu Puoane
• 21.30 – 22.30 h: ADJA

A personal message from Zoë Modiga:

I’d like to send my warmest regards to Dree Peremans, the LUCA Big Band, the Leuven Jazz Festival and all involved in making our collaboration possible.

Despite all our best efforts, unfortunately, I am unable to come to Belgium for the performance(s).

I’m incredibly heartbroken at the visa outcome as this was an exciting, monumental and important intercontinental collaboration, however, I would like to send well wishes to the entire family for what I believe will be an absolute treat for the music lovers that will be in attendance.

My love to the masterful Tutu Puoane and Adja Fassa.

Zoë Modiga

More info

ADJA Adja Fassa (lead vocal), Alexis Nootens (guitar, Mathieu Calzan (piano and keys), Edwin Theophile (double bass and electric bass), Sam De Vleeschouwer (drums), Emile Hennuyer (trumpet), Julie Daems (backing vocals) and Elien Van Hulsel (backing vocals)

LUCA big band Fons Van Aerschot (alto sax 1), Magdalena Busler (alto sax 2), Joram Leys (tenor sax 1), Tobias Volckaerts (tenor sax 2), Elly Brouckmans (baritone sax), Jentl Vandamme (trombone 1), Dree Peremans (trombone 2), Manten Van Gils (trombone 3), Arne De Clerck (trombone 4), Jany Van Lul (trumpet 1), Thadeus Jolie (trumpet 2), Lennart Henderickx (trumpet 3), Roos Velle (trumpet 4), Basile Peuvion (drums), Lander Rutten (drums), Misha Nsengiyumva (electric bass), Nicolas Dewalque (guitar), Bert Dewinter (guitar), Maura Delbare (piano), Evelyn De Bels (piano), Frank Vaganée (conductor) and Tutu Puoane (vocals)