SPACE IS THE PLACE opens this season with three mini festivals: PLUTONIAN NIGHTS. Nights in which we show the diverse range of exciting and fresh improvised music.

THE EX
The adventurous, innovative Dutch band The Ex exists 38 years this year and is still going strong. New projects, new songs and new adventures. The Ex have defied categorisation ever since they started playing in 1979. Born out of the punk explosion, when anything and everything was possible, the band have still managed to retain both curiosity and passion for their music. Using guitars, bass, drums and voice as their starting point, The Ex have continued to musically explore undiscovered areas right up to the present day.

THE ZEBRA STREET BAND
The Zebra Street Band’s music is highly energetic and danceable. Moments of groove alternating with floating textures and collective improvisations. Four horn players and two percussionists create a rich and powerful sound made unique by each players own creativity. Many different styles melt together into a repertoire that echoes Africa and the Caribbeans as well as the European underground. The band likes to play on a stage as well as marching on the street.

LAMPE / DIKEMAN
Both American/Dutch saxophonist John Dikeman and Australian/Dutch pianist Walter Lampe are heavily influenced by the blues and gospel. With irregular intervals, the two meet for duo performances where they improvise around the genre of spirituals. Sublime, raw and uplifting free music.

SPACE IS THE PLACE opens this season with three mini festivals: PLUTONIAN NIGHTS. Nights in which we show the diverse range of exciting and fresh improvised music.

REIJSEGER / FRAANJE / SYLLA
The music of trio Reijseger Fraanje Sylla is best described as the perfect amalgam of jazz, African songs and classical music. Cellist Ernst Reijseger, pianist Harmen Fraanje and Senegalese singer-percussionist Mola Sylla are able to create their own language on stage like no one else; and although it might not be directly understood, it can be felt very clearly. The trio, which has released two albums and made the music for several films by the famous German filmmaker Werner Herzog, makes fierce and beautiful music that is also melancholy and always heavily supported by the excellent voice of their African singer. The exuberant, improvised piano playing of Fraanje and the subtle melodies of Reijseger make for an eclectic, sometimes spiritual whole where nothing is what is seems.

OBOL LE
OBOL LE is the pop-electronic performance group of Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti with artists from Amsterdam and Chicago. They explore the musical meanings of old carpets from Bolivia, which are woven as graphic scores. This happens during the ceremony. Inspired by the cosmological vision of these rugs, the group is working on sound material presented in a visual concert setting.

HARALD AUSTBØ
Harald Austbø played classical cello at from the age of 9 and started improvisation lessons with Ernst Reijseger at the age of 12. He divides his time between playing in the improvisation music scene (including his work for the band The Ambush Party) and working for several music theatre collectives, including Orkater and Susies Haarlok. In his solo performances, Austbø combines his cello with human beat box and other vocal sounds.

SPACE IS THE PLACE opens this season with three mini festivals: PLUTONIAN NIGHTS. Nights in which we show the diverse range of exciting and fresh improvised music.

CONJUNCTO PAPA UPA
The Venezuelan-British-Dutch band Conjunto Papa Upa creates an entirely unique sound: Venezuelan polyrithmic grooves are linked to sixties surf, rock, samba and guaguancó. The result is a sort of raw Latin Surf Garage that features Cumbia and Salsa, but with a more African touch.

BAZOOKA
Brand new band featuring The Ex-guitarist Andy Moor playing Angolan dance music.

KLEIN | STADHOUDERS | KIMMAN | RENFROW play ORNETTE COLEMAN
Four key figures of the young Amsterdam improv scene pay tribute to Ornette Coleman: the American jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter, and composer who coined of the term ‘free jazz’ with his eponymous album of 1961.