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Blind Melody held its second installment of live musical performances on a clear spring night on the 16th of April.  The concert was made up of three wide ranging acts, each with different experience levels but all with huge amounts of talent.  The event was hosted at the Greenhouse Berlin 8th Floor Gallery by Zalk Productions.

First up to perform – for the first time ever in front of a live audience – was cosmic folk musician Mowgli (Théo Vicariot).  He appeared, sitting on the stage surrounded by a humble forest of candles and olive plants, an atmosphere perfect for an early spring night.  He began his set with a stroke of his guitar accompanied by Wojtek Świeca on the slide guitar.  Mowgli’s soulful and melancholy voice filled the candle-lit room.  A series of folk covers and also outstanding original compositions seemed to open the ceiling of the gallery’s performance space and expose the stars to shine down on Mowgli and his guitar.  He names his style “cosmic folk” which is a very apt description for the music we heard that night.  A brilliant premiere performance from this fresh folk singer from France; Bob Dylan would be proud.

After a short interval to let the audience to return from Mowgli’s galaxy and grab another drink at the bar, the performance space had transformed.  The stage was flanked by several bicycles for the next group of performers – Girls on Fahrrads, an alternative Jazz band formed in Berlin.  The crowd became silent as Thomas Kolarczyk opened their first song, bowing a beautiful sequence on his towering double bass. When he suddenly switched into a faster pizzicato style bass line he was joined by the rest of the band: Wojtek Świeca on the electric guitar, Jakub Skowronski playing the tenor saxophone, and Kuba Gudz at the drum-kit.  Together, they played an incredible jazz set, changing through fast and slow tempos punctuated by solos from each of the talented performers.  At the end they received a well-deserved standing ovation from their spellbound audience.

Another short break, and the stage decoration had changed yet again, this time for our head lining act.  Multi-coloured disco lights spread across to all corners of the gallery space, a perfect ambiance for the crowd to get up off the couches and dance to the smooth jazz - techno beats of Jim Cassady & Pablo.  Their intricate and deceivingly simple melding of live guitar, keyboard, electronic tools and recorded elements makes a strong atmosphere for both dancing and sitting back to chill.  It was a huge honour to have the talented duo at Blind Melody, and also a very special opportunity for the audience to experience their sound in such a small and intimate setting at the Greenhouse Berlin.  The night went on through to the early hours of the morning with more people arriving even after Jim Cassady & Pablo had already begun.

We give a huge thanks to our artists: Mowgli, Girls on Fahrrads and Jim Cassady & Pablo for three unforgettable performances.  And thanks to Louie Neale for the great graphic design work and working the bar.

It’s certain to say that everyone enjoyed this second chapter of the Blind Melody saga.  Join again next time to see the next event, stay up to date by pressing like on the Zalk Productions and Greenhouse Berlin Facebook pages.

Published by Zalk Productions 28/4/2016

Blind Melody Jazz Concert // GreenHouse Berlin 8th floor Gallery // 25-2-16 // produced by Zalk Productions

The evening began with a quirky set by Andrea Rainbow Flow and Ralf Peter.  Andrea’s unique vocals and keyboard skills; and Ralf’s eclectic rhythm on the drums joined beautifully for a range of 20th century soul and jazz covers.  They started slow with some stripped back covers, then after the audience applauded for more, they moved through a crescendo of groovy and energetic improvisation.  They were joined for part of their performance by Yuryi Zhvanetskyy on the bass. Andrea was dressed in his typical outlandish costume, with flowing colourful fabrics and his face painted with extra eyes and shamanic patterns.

Into Interlude was up next, a youthful jazz trio fronted by Kuba Więcek on the alto-saxophone, Grzegorz Tarwid on the keyboard and Albert Karch playing drums.  They astounded the audience with their high energy, sometimes-fast/sometimes-slow style.  With such talented band members it is no surprise that their combination creates a sound that is both new and old.  The audience would agree with what internationally renowned contemporary jazz composer Steve Lehman said about them: "Into Interlude is one of the most promising young groups that I've heard in recent memory."

The Schusters was the last scheduled music session, the talented and experienced Latino jazz band created a powerful groove that had the audience up and dancing to the funky jazz melody.  Steve Schofield on the flute and wind instruments created a sound that thrilled the audience, Marcelo Vaz on the drums gave a powerful Latino jazz rhythm that made the audience move their feet to the beat of his outstanding skills on the drums.  Jan Schuster on the piano played from his soul, giving this Latin jazz session real body. All of this combined fantastically together with Kaio Moraes and his violin skills.  

After their concert the evening continued into the night with an open jam session that was joined by musicians based in the Greenhouse, Berlin and Dresden.

We would like to thank to several people for making this great night what it was: Firstly, our hosts Greenhouse Berlin for such a great Space in the 8th floor Gallery. Louie Neale for the wonderful set decorations and graphic design

Adenan Ahmad for the sound design and lighting.  Thank you also for your concling, from here we wish you good luck with the next Mirror Mirror Festival on the 30.03.16 (check it out!)

Rasmuss the best bartender that made everyone smile and let us all relax.

Alexandra Macia and Uwe Ahava Photography – For the amazing photos and videos (see their other work!)

The Musicians:

Andrea Rainbow Flow, Ralf Peter and Yuryi Zhvanetskyy for a great opening performance

Into Interlude (Kuba Więce, Grzegorz Tarwid and Albert Karch) for a wonderful and unforgettable concert

The Schusters - Steve Schofield, Marcelo Vaz Jan Schuster and Kaio Moraes for a great grand finale

 We would like to thank many more people such as Andy, Damian, Tsin, Ronen, Valarie, Steve P, Pavel the Tiger, Lisa, Sofi, Jackie Dali, Noa Paquito and more.

Last but not least, we want to thank you, the best audience we could have asked for.  You made this evening unforgettable, so please follow us on Facebook page Zalk Productions and our Website to so you can be up to date with our future events.

Published by Zalk Productions