The Kaiju Project is a Japanese inspired jazz group formed by the half Japanese-Austrian pianist Aseo Friesacher. Their initial idea was to bring old folk songs into a new modern context, but in addition to their compositions, this group has found their very own musical direction: a perfect blend of traditional Japanese music and meditative-creative jazz.
If Aseo Friesacher doesn’t ring a bell: he is, besides founding member of his Aseo Trio, part of the Loek van den Berg Quintet, that played Podium JIN at the Thiemeloods last year. Additionally he’s a member of the NJO (National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands) and the NJJO (National Jazz Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands).
Aseo’s composition style is clearly rooted in Jazz, but with the use of traditional Japanese melodic elements and sounds, the music becomes very storytelling and gets a beautiful and mystic character. Also some famous soundtracks from the Ghibli movies and songs by the Japanese singer Hibari Misora, that Aseo has arranged for the band, are included in their repertoire.
The bandleader has had the vision for a long time to create this unique fusion of traditional Japanese music and Jazz in order to bring together the eastern and the western world. In fact, the
meaning lies his name A-se-o, “亜為欧“: living for Asia and Europe. The band went through a couple of changes in their formation but finallyresulted in a dream team, featuring two Japanese musicians who bring the authentic sound to the band: Waka Otsu as the vocalist and Fuefuki Kana on Japanese flutes and silver flute. Furthermore there is the highly accomplished and respected ECM artist, drummer and percussionist Joost Lijbaart and the virtuosic and talented bassist Johannes Fend, who make the group complete.
“With his Kaiju Project and other formations Aseo builds bridges between Jazz and traditional Japanese music…a wonderfully balanced, atmospheric World Jazz, that never gets boring.” – Jazzthing
Een prachtige meditatieve afsluiter van het voorjaarsseizoen van Podium JIN die je ongetwijfeld meevoert naar Japanse droombeelden of je voedt in je vakantieplannen.
Line-Up:
Aseo Friesacher – Piano
Waka Otsu – Vocals
Fuefuki Kana – Flutes, Shinobue, Shakuhatchi
Johannes Fend – Bass
Joost Lijbaart – Drums, Percussion
Zaal open: 20.00
Aanvang: 20.30
Tickets: 17,50, 5 <26 jaar, 20,00