NICA exchange: Koen Boeijinga's Dutch Mountain Tribe | Fabian Dudek / Almost

Dutch woodwind player, composer and improviser Koen Boeijinga presents his new project Dutch Mountain Tribe. The seven-piece collective consists of young pioneers as well as established virtuosos from the Dutch improvisation scene. They unite their diverse backgrounds in a compact texture of unconventional melodies, enchanting rhythms and improvisation. The music is reminiscent of folk songs from a mythical Dutch mountain landscape. The collective has an extensive arsenal of percussion instruments, flutes, bagpipes and other items from Boeijinga's immense collection, which all contribute harmoniously within the ensemble sound.

Last year, Dutch Montain Tribe was honoured with KEEP AN EYE The Records. The band's debut album was released on 15 March 2024 on ZenneZ Records.

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On the road, somehow arriving somewhere. Concentrated on a destination with an uncertain outcome in mind: Almost. Four musicians focusing on Fabian Dudek’s unique and thoughtful compositions, with which the German saxophonist explores new sound spheres. Dudek has worked with pianist Felix Hauptmann for many years – Hauptmann plays in Dudek's two main projects, his quartet, and the sextet La Campagne – and contributes his voice to this constellation which premiered summer 2023. Like Dudek and Hauptmann, drummer Alex Parzhuber is an integral part of the Cologne scene and stands out with his attentive and energetic playing, whether on his releases under his own name or, for example, as a member of Dudek’s La Campagne or of Vagabond Souls. These three are joined by London-based bassist, singer, and composer Ruth Goller, who is considered an important player in the English improvisation scene. She has performed with bands like Acoustic Ladyland, Melt Yourself Down and collaborated with musicians like Shabaka Hutchings, Kit Downes, Sam Amidon, Bojan Z, Marc Ribot, Rokia Traoré and Paul McCartney. A meeting of four individually strong musicians, who unite around Dudek's music, which explores escapes from the world and leaves its listeners enough space for reflection.

Fabian Dudek was nominated for the German Record Critics' Award at the beginning 2024 with his album "Protecting A Picture That's Fading" (La Campagne) and for the German Jazz Award 2024 in the category "Composition/Arrangement" with the title composition of the same name.

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This concert evening is a cooperation between NICA artist development and BIMHUIS. Founded in 1974 and based at the Piet Heinkade in Amsterdam since 2005, BIMHUIS is one of the most important venues for improvised music in the Netherlands. The day before the concert at Stadtgarten Köln, Koen Boeijinga and Fabian Dudek will play with their bands at BIMHUIS.