Games and entertainment score high at VIAGE. We are always up for a party. That is why we do not let the International Jazz Day on 30 April just go by. We spoil all music lovers with a swinging program from early in the afternoon until late in the evening.
The International Jazz Day, set on April 30, aims to bring together communities, schools and musicians of all styles and ages around the world to celebrate jazz, its roots and its influences. After all, jazz is a music genre that arose from the merging of different cultures, in which there is always enough room for everyone's individuality.
The love for music
According to history, the cradle of jazz was in New Orleans. At the end of the nineteenth century, the music of the African population, influenced by European music and instruments, evolved into the musical styles ragtime and blues. In the early twentieth century, black musicians started playing together with white musicians. By mixing the rhythms of black music with the chord progressions of the whites, a new style emerged: jazz. Despite the many clashes between the two cultures and the persistent racism, the musicians found each other in their love for music. Meanwhile, the style has been a household name for years and is often referred to as classical American music.
Energetic swing
The word jazz originally meant “a very energetic dance”. That energy is still present in the music. The main characteristics of the style include the swing feel, the syncopation (accents at unexpected moments) and the high degree of improvisation, both when playing chords and in solos. This means that there is enormous room for creativity and personal input for jazz musicians.
European instruments such as trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, trombone, bass, piano, drum and jazz guitar mix in polyrhythmic patterns derived from traditional African music. Polyrhythm is the use of several different rhythms at the same time. Because of all this, jazz music often has a playful and unpredictable character.
Jazzy VIAGE
On April 30th we will combine the swinging playfulness of jazz with the exciting playfulness of our casino games at VIAGE. During a vibrant program of no less than nine hours, we spoil our visitors with various live performances.
The jazz trio PUUR starts at 4 pm, a female jazz trio with the same passion for music and stories, which they bring in a relaxing atmosphere.
They will be followed at 6.30 pm by SKALA B, a fantastic salsa band of Antwerp musicians with Cuban and Chilean roots. With a tribute to the traditional Cuban music of the sixties, called El Son, they bring the sun into your home and into VIAGE. You will not be able to stop yourself from moving to the sultry rhythms of Jazz Latino.
After this ALINE LUA takes over the microphone. This Brazilian singer-songwriter has been captivating audiences for over twenty years with her music, from the most intimate Bossa jazz to the most exciting Brazilian pop groove ambiance. She traveled around the world as a solo singer in various musicals and eventually ended up in Brussels. Aline Lua closes the evening at 00h00 with a second performance.
In between she is alternated at 10 pm by LAURENT DOUMONT with music from his album L'Americano. This Brussels based saxophonist, singer and songwriter has also been bringing his grooves to local and international clubs and festivals for over twenty years. Recently, an introspective search for his Sicilian heritage led to the project Americano in which he joyfully adapts twelve great Italian standards from the 1950s and 60s in a soul, jazz and pop spirit.
Put on your best suit or most beautiful dress and come swing with us at VIAGE on 30 April!
