Lubiana & Karel Cuelenaere Trio

1.5 meter sessions

double bill
Thu 20/08/2020 - 20:30
Sold out
40' - pauze - 40'

Ticket prices

€ 5

Lubiana

Lubiana is a Belgian singer-songwriter with Cameroonian roots and a golden voice. Her musical path started at age 8 with piano and guitar. At 14, she is bowled over by the voices of Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill and in her early twenties, she discovers the West-African instrument that will change her life forever: the kora.

It brought her into touch with her African roots and tradition, and the work of master Toumani Diabaté. Since then, she used this inspiration in her music, a glowing mixture of pop, soul and a subtle jazzy vibe. She recently starred at the virtual ‘Bel Jazz Fest’. In March, she would have released her EP at ‘Leuven Jazz’, so this is a chance to enjoy the postponed concert.

Karel Cuelenaere Trio

This is a piano trio like you never heard before.

Pianist and leader Karel Cuelenaere started experimenting with conceptual and sound-focused compositions in the conservatory and had tried various formations to bring his music alive. In the end, it was drummer Gert-Jan Dreessen who brought the three of them together, at a two-night jam session where each player really got to know each other. And so the die was cast. 

Together with bassist Cyrille Obermüller, they quickly abandoned the classical jazz repertoire for the more adventurous compositions by Karel Cuelenaere, in a mutual desire to dig in and explore the possibilities of his music. The interplay between the three players kept brewing for months during regular sessions at one of Belgium’s most beautiful jazz clubs, La Conserve. 

After their first concerts in 2019, they decided to make it as a band. Rhythmic playfulness and intricate harmonies, combined with intuitive sensing of one another results in an intense listening experience for the audience. The music doesn't reveal itself right away or makes you wanna tap your foot, but nonetheless feels very good! The trio sounds like an entity, playing chaotic and complex at moments, only to suddenly synchronize with the clarity of a bell for the next chapter in the music.

In short, this trio is a band.

More info

with Lubiana (voice and kora)