DUTCH FOCUS
September 18-20, 2024 at the BMC

Euphoric sound combined with a versatility rarely seen even in jazz: that's the essence of the Dutch Focus mini-festival, which for the third time presents the vibrant colours of Dutch jazz at the Opus Jazz Club in Budapest between 18 and 20 September.

The Netherlands has become an international jazz powerhouse over the past 100 years, translating American traditions into its own jazz dialect with great creativity and freedom through the generations. Today, musicians from South Korea to Mexico have chosen the Netherlands as their new home, continuing to nurture and expand the ever-changing genre of jazz. Still it's a rare occasion to hear Dutch jazz bands in Budapest – one of the reasons why this joint event between the Budapest Music Center and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is a special occasion.

On three nights of Dutch Focus, three bands will take to the stage at Opus Jazz Club: Alto for Two, led by two young female alto saxophonists, will play a dynamic jazz set on 18 September; the irresistible and astonishing improvisations by Ponga will be on display on 19 September; and on 20 September, we will hear the songs of Under The Surface, who blend jazz, electronic music and folk into a unique musical charm.

ALTO FOR TWO
Wednesday 18 September 2024 at 20:00

Alto For Two is a project led by two of the most innovative saxophonists in Europe today: Kika Sprangers and Irene Reig, and it features a repertoire of their own compositions. The coming together of these two artists, with their unique musical backgrounds, results in an eclectic and distinctive musical offering with a varied sound palette translated into the quintet format. Alto For Two will soon release their first album on Berthold Records, consisting of a new original repertoire demonstrating the artistic direction and evolution of the group.

PONGA
Thursday 19 September 2024 at 20:00

Ponga is a music group that thrives on the possibilities of free improvisation, which is at the core of everything they play. Their performances blend compositional forms, infectious grooves, and unconventional melodies, often originating from experimentation and free play. In Ponga, every member of the trio – violist Yanna Pelser, guitarist Timon Koomen, and drummer/percussionist Remco Menting – switches between percussive, melodic, and harmonic roles, resulting in eclectic performances that encompass a variety of musical styles, including soundscapes, rock, jazz, classical and global music.

UNDER THE SURFACE
Friday 20 September 2024 at 20:00

Improvisation, composition, language, and cultures merge in Under the Surface's world. After two Edison-nominated improvised albums, Under the Surface (2017) and Trinity (2019), the band releases a fully composed album: Miin Triuwa (My Faith), reflecting on their backgrounds to find their own 'folk'. Formed in 2016, the band has achieved international success with over 200 concerts in 25 countries. Inspired by diverse cultures, they developed a unique blend of jazz, ethnic, and electronic music. Miin Triuwa, composed by Bram Stadhouders, captures their improvisational essence in a strong musical statement. Vocalist Sanne Rambags, with the help of linguist Peter-Alexander Kerkhof, wrote lyrics in Old Dutch, exploring medieval linguistic roots.

Tickets are available for 3500 HUF on the spot, online at bmc.jegy.hu, and at InterTicket Jegypont partners across Hungary.
For the best dining experience please arrive around 7pm. We hold reservations until 8pm.

For more information, please call +36 1 216 7894