Kultuurburo Link presents

Laila Amezian

‘TriOde’

A singer whose roots are in Morocco, but whose feet are planted in Brussels: Laïla Amezian.

Her ambition is to create a link between East and West, the old and the new, mysticism and music. TriOde is the result of this ambition, a project which is an ode to singing. It is also the title of an exceptional CD (her second album) with Arab, jazz and classical music combined, performed by a trio of the same name: three very talented and broad-minded musicians.

‘Arab-jazz-classical’ is how Laïla likes to describe her music. In this programme she sings texts by the Lebanese-American poet Khalil Gibran. She set these to music herself and the multi-talented Michaël Grébil wrote the arrangements. Also featured are poems by the 12th century writer-philosopher Ibn Arabi and the 14th century poet Al-Mutanabi. In contrast there are also jazz classics such as Strange Fruit ...

Subtly accompanied by cellist Anja Naucler and percussionist Stephan Pougin, Laïla creates an intimate atmosphere, with her warm and rich voice coming to the fore in heartfelt interpretations. The instrumental playing is sensitive and compelling and adds significantly to the intensity of this exceptional project.

Laïla Amezian hails from a musical family in the North of Morocco. She was born in Antwerp (Belgium) and now lives in Brussels. In the course of her fifteen-year career she has discovered many different vocal worlds: French chansons, jazz, funk, electro-ethno-dance, post-rock, polyphony and Arab-Andalusian music. Her musical collaborations have been equally varied: DJ Grazzhoppa, Oblomow, Studio Pagol (electro-ethno-dance), Jaune Toujours and Arabanda.

The Swedish cellist Anja Naucler studied classical music in Sweden and in Brussels, and also chamber music in Ghent. She is extremely versatile and plays with chamber music ensembles and large orchestras as well as with jazz bands and rock groups. She also plays with world music stars Ghalia Benali and Manou Gallo.

Percussionist Stephan Pougin is equally multifaceted. He too studied in Brussels and then continued his learning process with great names such as Georges-Elie Octors and Billy Hart. His musical partners include Mikis Theodorakis, Aurélia, Tuur Florizoone, Panta Rhei, Ghalia Benali and countless others.

www.lailaamezian.com

CD OUT :

Label: Zimbraz Records

Artist: Laïla Amezian

Title :  TriOde

Catalogue number: MWCD 3046

Release : April 30 2012

Please contact us for more information :

Dirk Seymus

Kultuurburo Link vzw

dirk@link-kultuurburo.be

phone : +32 15 25 02 69