Northern Realms
A showcase at the Arts Presenters Conference in January 2008 featuring performers from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Scotland, Quebec and US. Eleven groups, offering a wide variety of musical genres and crossovers to include Jazz, Traditional, Classical, Bluegrass, Middle-Eastern, Flamenco, Blues, Soul, Gypsy, and New Music
Click here to link to downloadable Showcase PDF
Featuring the best artists from the Northern regions of (click on an artist to view their bio):
Norway: Karl Seglem, Unni Løvlid, Benedicte Maurseth
Sweden: Wildbirds and Peacedrums, TheGothenburgCombo, Niklas Sivelöv & Lelo Nika Duo
Finland: Lepistö & Lehti
Belgium: Karim Baggili
Scotland/Norway/England: Fribo
Québec: Le Vent du Nord
and US: Expedition Quartet
Showcase Times and Locations:
Saturday, January 12 from 2:00pm to 2:00am - Hilton Hotel – Gibson Suite, 2nd Floor
Monday, January 14, 2008 7:00pm-10:20pm - Scandinavia House
Click here for Showcase Schedules
Artist Bios:
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Karl Seglem
Pioneer of Norwegian folk-jazz, this tenor saxophone and ram’s horn player uses folk and Hardanger fiddle tunes as inspiration for improvisation and composition. With cool elegance, he presents his innovative extraordinary music while extensively touring with his quintet. Appearing at APAP with master Hardanger Fiddler Håkon Høgemo. www.norcd.no/seglem |
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Unni Løvlid
A top folk musician in Norway; and named "traditional musician of the year 2006"… she is known for work with “Rusk” and collaboration on contemporary music projects as well as in folk music. Unni is continually involved in new productions along with extensive touring and teaching engagements. www.myspace.com/unnilovlid |
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Benedicte Maurseth
A Hardanger fiddler who combines a commanding and powerful form of expression with sensitive undertones in her playing, and sings as warmly and powerfully as she plays. She has collaborated with other folk and baroque musicians in a variety of projects and earned her degree from the Ole Bull Academy. |
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Wildbirds and Peacedrums
Mariam Wallentin and Andreas Werliin, from Sweden, build their music on vocals and drums, expanding it with help from electronic devices and other instruments such as the sitar and the glockenspiel. A perfect mix of spiritual pop, free-blues and raw soul music… www.wildbirdsandpeacedrums.com |
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TheGothenburgCombo
A live-performance by Swedish guitarists David Hansson and Thomas Hansy is a "Chamber Music Knockout" combining
extreme virtuosity with deep feeling, humour and maximum communication with the audience. 2004 first prize winners in "13ème Concours International de Guitare en Duo", world's biggest duo competition for guitarists.
http://www.gbgcombo.com/ |
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Niklas Sivelöv & Lelo Nika Duo
Lelo Nika, master accordionist mixing styles from Balkan Gypsy tradition to the Jazz world, and Niklas Sivelöv, a prominent Classical pianist in Scandinavia and master improviser in the style of Mozart or Bach, mix their two worlds in an extraordinarily free musical approach. www.niklassivelov.com; www.lelonika.com |
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Lepistö & Lehti
Accordionist Markku Lepistö and bass player Pekka Lehti are master musicians ranked among the most highly regarded instrumentalists of their native Finland. Pushing the envelope in Nordic roots music, their new outing is a meeting point where two musicians from different backgrounds unite musically as one. www.aitorecords.com |
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Karim Baggili
Belgian acoustic all-world-fusion group with Spanish (flamenco guitar, voices), Middle Eastern (Arabic lute), Jazz (soprano sax) and Chamber music (cello and flute) influences. In creating their alchemy, every member knows exactly where to put the right accents to maintain a rich and warm sound. Appearing at APAP as a trio. www.karimbaggili.be |
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Fribo
A unique collaboration between three musicians from Norway, Scotland and England, who have gained recognition and acclaim for blending their respective musical styles together with sensitivity and an exuberant feel for contemporary sounds and rhythms. Featured are guitar, fiddle, hardanger fiddle, voice, Norwegian willow flute. www.fribo.co.uk |
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Le Vent du Nord
From Québec, this award-winning quartet offers spirited hi jinks featuring evocative vocal harmonies (en Francais) and a great variety of instruments, to include hurdy-gurdy, fiddle, guitar, accordion, piano, bass, snare. Their performances are a blast, and their musicianship unparalleled. www.leventdunord.com |
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Expedition Quartet
While rooted in the string band tradition, this quartet explores a wide array of styles and musical sensibilities. Adventurous instrumental harmonies, engaging original compositions, creatively arranged world music, and extensive improvisational interplay makes them an act not to be missed. www.myspace.com/expeditionquartet
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