Nordkraft Big Band & Maria Mendes (PT)
Note: Free admission for students and youths under 16. Available at the door while tickets last. Remember to bring a valid student ID or ID.
SAUDADE – COLOR OF LOVE Nordkraft Big Band and Maria Mendes (PT)
"To merge jazz and Fado has been the most important and artistically fulfilling work I have undertaken thus far, truly nourishing my soul. Connecting with the beautiful heritage from my ancestors has been eye-opening."
These are the words of Portuguese multi-Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-nominated vocalist and composer Maria Mendes, who is no stranger to living between two different worlds. With her critically acclaimed albums Close To Me and Saudade, Color of Love, Mendes, also praised by legendary composers like Quincy Jones and Hermeto Pascoal, showcased her ability to blend different influences in a magnificent way with her vibrant fusion of orchestral jazz and Portuguese Fado, the folk music of her homeland.
The music is a result of a handful of iconic fados such as Foi Deus, Tudo Isto É Fado, and Barco Negro, and traditional Portuguese songs like Quando Eu Era Pequenina and Verdes Anos, interpreted into a captivating genre that blends jazz, contemporary music, and folk music. One of Mendes' favorites is Com Que Voz, an ancient Portuguese song with lyrics dating back over 500 years, penned by poet Luis de Camões, often hailed as the Portuguese Shakespeare, and immortalized by the legend and queen of Fado, Amália Rodrigues. This song opens the show, setting the mood for an unforgettable evening where the lush orchestral sound of the big band reaches new heights in the exciting interplay between Mendes' heartfelt voice, singing tales of saudade, longing, and love.
Featuring: Nordkraft Big Band, Vladimir Nikolov (conductor), and Maria Mendes (vocals).
MARIA MENDES
Maria Mendes was the first Portuguese artist featured on the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club stage in New York, as well as the first Portuguese vocalist/composer to record two albums and perform live with the legendary Dutch Metropole Orkest.
With both albums Saudade, Color of Love (2022) and Close To Me (2019), Mendes achieved a fantastic collaboration with the multiple Grammy-nominated John Beasley (US) and the multi-Grammy-nominated and multi-award-winning Metropole Orkest. An orchestra that has existed for 75 years and has collaborated with Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Snarky Puppy, Jacob Collier, Gregory Porter, Vince Mendoza, John Clayton, and many more.
With this recognition, Maria Mendes adds yet another milestone to her already burgeoning career, having also been honored with the Dutch music prize EDISON and earlier this year received Wayne Shorter's approvals to premiere his modern jazz piece Gaia in Germany. Furthermore, her song Inverso, with Anat Cohen, was part of the soundtrack of the Emmy-winning soap opera Ouro Verde.
NORDKRAFT BIG BAND
Nordkraft Big Band is the entire North Jutland's big band in Denmark, which in recent years has established itself as a very active, visionary, and serious ensemble in rhythmic music. Nordkraft Big Band emerged in Aalborg in 2010 and has roots in the European and American big band tradition but also explores the format's differences. The 17-person big band has released several albums of very different character and is played on DR P8 Jazz, among others. Through interesting collaborations and projects, the big band has also gained international recognition. Most recently through the collaboration with American saxophonist and composer Remy Le Boeuf, who is the chief conductor of the big band in 2023 and 2024. In addition, the big band has collaborated with John Clayton (US), Bob Mintzer (US), Robben Ford (US), Sinne Eeg, Bobo Moreno, Margrete Grarup, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, Nikolaj Bentzon, Aviaja Lumholt, Veronica Mortensen, Jimmy Jørgensen, Zika (GL), Martin Brygmann, Søren Sko, Dorthe Gerlach, Niels Jørgen Steen, Szhirley, Kaya Brüel, Allan Olsen, Birthe Kjær, Rasmus Bjerg, and many more.
Nordkraft Big Band receives support from, among others, the Ministry of Culture, Aalborg Municipality, and the Danish Arts Foundation.