Jazz is a magical word. It lets you open up to the world; it gives you a door to travel through. Jazz is about coming together, finding a meeting place and an inspiring concept. Soprano soloist Yaroslava Shevlyuga has sung with several Ukranian jazz groups which have been produced in Sweden, England and France, since 1994. After several meetings with her, it was decided in 1998 to create a European vocal jazz group based in France. Auditions were held throughout the 33 countries that make up continental Europe, and the group was formed with 4 to 8 singers.The selection of Europeans to form the vocal jazz group accentuates its multinational character, cultivating an astonishing collaboration of artists from eastern and western Europe.
The "European Vocal Jazz Ensemble" is a cosmopolitan group, a meeting point for artists from the European Union and central and eastern Europe. From London to Sarajevo, from Lisbon to Kiev, the ensemble will invite performers in residence starting in 2004, giving concert tours of famous pieces from the classical, jazz-rock and traditional repertoires - re-harmonized and arranged as jazz vocals. The result is a veritable encounter, an extraordinary exchange between the artists and audiences of continental Europe.
Musical Program :
The concert is a perpetual surprise for the audience. It is presented as a great musical fresco of four outstanding genres :
* Re-harmonized classical pieces: Bach's Concerto,
Corelli's Badinerie, Delibes' Lakme.
* Traditional songs from eastern and western Europe.
* Standard instrumental or vocal jazz repertoire for big band or soloists.
* Modern-day jazz-rock, soul, and blues.