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creole global crowns three winners
The 1st creole global at the WERKSTATT DER KULTUREN
3 days, 18 bands, 3 prices! The 1st creole global contest rocked the house last weekend - and three winning combos were chosen. We had a breathtakingly exciting time with international stars of the GlobalBeat scene. At the creole global, 93 outstanding musicians from Bavaria to Paris competed against each other. A full house was emphatic confirmation that the new concept was successful.
These are the bands who won and were delighted to each receive €3,000.
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Jury's verdict: |
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Jury
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Looking back at preliminary decision
21 bands convinced the jury!
The jury met to pre-select the bands - the deliberations were long and intense. "The numerous, first class, international applications nearly overwhelmed us, and made the pre-selection difficult. It wasn’t easy to make a decision, the bands were all of an exceptionally high musical standard”, explains Bisseh Akamé of UNIVERSAL Music. "We cannot wait to hear the wide ranging spectrum of music from orchestralto dance, live in September at the contest".
Because of the high number of bands from France, Italy, Burkina Faso, Mauritius, Iran, Austria and Switzerland, which were of the highest quality, the WERKSTATT DER KULTUREN decided to invite 21 bands instead of the originally planned 14, and offer them the opportunity to perform and take part at the live concerts from 7-9 Sep 2018.
Congratulations to the following Global Beat Bands!
- Afrikadelle
- Anewal
- Bernard Mayo Quartett
- Ensemble GAH
- gruberich
- Husam Al-Ali Ensemble
- Izzy Amuw & The Magic Finger
- Kind of Cuban
- Korinn
- Lao Xao Trio
- Moonlight Benjamin
- Motolo
- Napalma
- Rouzbeh Asgarian Band
- Shishko Disco
- Sistanagila
- Talking Oud by Alaa Zouiten Quartet
- The Swag
- Tiliboo
- Willy Sahel Band
- Xalaas
BANDPROFILE
Afrikadelle
Three noted music experts from Benin and Burkina Faso build upon their expertise of very diverse West African music and at the same time weave their equally rich experience of Afrobeat, Highlife, Salsa, Funk, Blues, Gospel and Jazz into their music.
The result is interesting and varied dance music. The strong, projecting voice of Moussa alternates with the soft voices of Tunde and Arcadius. The songs are sung in Yoruba, Fon, Doula, French and German. Added to this are the masterfully performed and rhythmically pulsating melody instruments of the Balafon, Ngoni and Tanikka, which use the calabash as an acoustic sound body, in combination with bass guitar and percussion.
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The Bernard Mayo Quartet takes us on a musical journey from Afro-Pop and Afro-Dance to the sounds of Central and South America, to A-cappella chants and wonderful African ballads. The texts of the musician and painter Bernard Mayo are sung in Lingala, KiSuaheli, French, Kikogo and ChiLuba and tell of life in his homeland, the Congo. For years Mayo has been a permanent fixture of the Berlin global music scene and has always performed with excellent musicians from a diverse range of countries. |
Anewal
ANEWAL is the new trio of Alhousseini Anivolla, lead guitarist and singer of the famous desert blues band Etran Finatawa/Niger. The far travelled musician formed the band in 2014. This group is bringing together traditional African tunes and new soundscapes.
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ANEWAL has got everything that fans have been devouring ever since desert blues went global: hypnotic two-chord jams, trance-inducing beats, biting blues-infused guitar and Anivolla’s warmly laid-back vocals sung in his local vernacular. Anivolla is an incisive and remarkably subtle guitarist, varying his attack on the strings, adding minute levels of natural distortion, his incisive, blues-infused phrases ringing out over long, swaying vamps. ANEWAL´s concert is a splendid show that leads the audience right into the desert and an actual African scene. You feel cultural heritage as much as social transition with all chances, lost and tragedy. It is a powerful show transported by the world scene experienced trio especially its lead singer Alhousseini Anivolla. With ANEWAL Anivolla continues his mission as an ambassador for cultural diversity in a changing world! |
Bernhard Mayo Quartett
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Ensemble Gah
GAH Ensemble was formed by Hamid Moradian in 2016 and has worked on separate projects so far, performed them live in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in Tehran.
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The first project, called ”Hanging Gardens of Grape” which was released as an audio CD as well by University of Tehran publications in 2016; is combining two different musical cultures: Persian traditional music and European Renaissance music. Another - and the most recent - project of GAH Ensemble is combining three different musical cultures: Persian traditional music, Celtic music and Aramaic music. The core concept of all the projects by Ensemble GHA is something the band termed as “multi-dimensional music”; an attitude towards fusion/multicultural music that weaves different musical cultures into each other like a multilingual conversation going on as the music unfolds with time. |
In today’s world, with the diversity of cultures that have to live alongside one another, and necessarily interact, a more sophisticated attitude towards such interactions could lead to a healthier enrichment of each and every one of the cultures and maybe even in a global scale. GAH Ensemble believes that different musical cultures can collaborate in shaping a more unified work of artistic music while still preserving their own authentic qualities.
gruberich
"Gruberich worships the Bavarian cosmos with hammered dulcimers and Styrian harmonicas; and yet he is much more than that: Gruberich is a discovery. (...) groovy, weird, experimental;cutting rhythms of Argentinian tango, the frenzy of a French musette waltz, sometimes also powerfully rocky, and in between it may be a "Zwiefacher", as one calls a tricky beat change in Bavaria." (Südkurier)
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Maria Friedrich, cellist, brings her classical side to the fore with the Munich Symphony Orchestra, the Munich Klangverwaltung, the Munich Chamber Opera and the "LadyStrings" Quartet. In numerous projects she devoted herself to the music of the 20's and 30's, jazz and acoustic pop music. Sabine Gruber-Heberlein, chamber musician and soloist, performs with her classical projects in concert halls such as the Brucknerhaus Linz, the Philharmonie and the Prinzegententheater in Munich. Thomas Gruber, musician and composer with roots in folk music, loves old music and is driven by groove. He was awarded the Bavarian Culture Prize for his compositions.. |
Husam Al-Ali Ensemble
Husam Al-Ali Ensemble aims to be an ambassador of the Arabic classical music of a highest level in the European classical space. Standing on the shoulders of giants such as Oum Kalthoum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Abdel Halim Hafez and others the ensemble plays an important role by bringing the beloved music for many listeners of the Middl-Eastern origins, who found their new home in Europe and by presenting to the local music lovers yet undiscovered reach and fascinating culture of the Arabic music.
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The ensemble also setting a goal to break the stigma that only musicians of Arabic origins can properly play Middle-Eastern music, therefor beside the members from Syria and Lebanon the ensemble consist of the players from Italy, Japan, Russia and Germany. |
The soloist of the ensemble - Husam Al Ali - is a singer of an exceptional quality who came to Berlin from Homs, Syria in 2017 and soon became one of the main figures in the Arabic scene of the city. Back in his homeland Al-Ali was performing in major concert venues including the famous Damascus Opera-Haus and has had his own TV show „Samaae Ugarit“.
Izzy Amuw & The Magic Finger
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Izzy Amuw is a Gift to the Music Ministry and Industry, with his beautiful mix of Afro Pop and Dancehall blended with Gospel and Reggae. Grew up in the Tough and Great City of Lagos. "Music was my Therapy to survive the hardship on the street", he sais. He came To Germany In 2003. I had the previleg to work with some great artists both National and International. |
Kind of Cuban
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The latin jazz band “Kind of Cuban“ is a rare musical treat for Berlin. The Cuban leader of the band and trumpeter Yuliesky Gonzalez Guerra has been living in Europe since 2010 and is a fixture at the jazz festival Kopenhagen. Yuliensky has become fluent in modern Cuban music because of his profound knowledge of both the history of Cuban Jazz and traditional Cuban music, the influences of European classical music and of lively African rhythms. |
Korinn
"Traversée" means "Crossing". It is a poetic vision inspired by the singular way that is life. It is further to its meeting with Ruddy Boa (pianist/arranger) that is born this project in the rooted and modern crossed outlines just like the artist. Of new compositions, tones, rhythmic emerge from this collaboration, the whole highlighted by the peculiarity of the voice of Korinn.
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"On stage, Corinne surrounds himself of sidemen solar energy, the live formula modulating of the duet piano-voice in the quintet. The rhythm section compound of the drummer Yoann Danier, the bass player Swaéli Mbappé or the contrebasiste Zaccharie Abraham, the percussioniste |
Lao Xao Trio
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The Lao Xao Trio from Dresden move acoustically and emotionally through unexplored borderlands, between Vietnamese folklore and Western jazz, between elaborate prog rock structures and free improvisation. Central to Lao Xao - Vietnamese for noise and commotion - is the fantastic voice of Khanh Nguyen, which finds complete expression in a field of tension between European and Asian sound culture. |
Moonlight Benjamin
Moonlight Benjamin est une chanteuse haïtienne, également prêtresse vaudou, installée en France depuis les années 2000. Mais tout a commencé en Haïti, où dès l’enfance, Moonlight chantait à l’église protestante, dans l’orphelinat qui l’accueillait. La musique était déjà l’une des raisons d’être de la jeune chanteuse qui courait les studios d’enregistrements, posant sa voix pour les artistes déjà connus du moment, et aussi pour compléter les maigres revenus de son travail de caissière. Elle fait la connaissance de Max Aubin avec qui elle collabore pendant plusieurs années, et rencontre Jean-Claude Martineau. Le poète et conteur lui écrit des textes de chansons qu’elle interprète sur scène. Fin 1999, Moonlight Benjamin remporte avec Max Aubin, le concours annuel de Chanté Nwel Télémax.
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Après le décès brusque de Max Aubin, Moonlight Benjamin décide de s’installer en France pour y continuer sa carrière. Elle pose ses valises à Toulouse, la ville rose, qui l’accueille chaleureusement. Moonlight y poursuit sa formation musicale, puis commence à se faire connaître au sein du groupe Dyaoulé Pemba. On y retrouve un mélange de mizik rasin haïtienne et de jazz. La formation, qui date de 2003, sera même la découverte world music du Printemps de Bourges l’année suivante. Le groupe voyage et se produit également en Italie et en Suisse. Parallèlement, Moonlight monte ses propres projets, et en 2009, est initiée en tant que prêtresse vaudou. En 2013, le saxophoniste Jacques Schwarz-Bart cherche une voix haïtienne en France, pour faire tourner son projet Jazz Racine Haïti qui vient de sortir. Il appelle Moonlight Benjamin, qui tourne désormais avec lui pour ses deux projets Jazz Racine – en quintet – et Voodoo Jazz trio, pour lequel on retrouve également Claude Saturne aux percussions. En 2015, Jacques Schwarz-Bart monte avec le pianiste cubain Omar Sosa, un nouveau projet, Creole Spirits, qui mêle au vaudou haïtien la santeria cubaine. Là encore, Moonlight, et Claude Saturne font partie de la formation complétée côté cubain par Martha Galarraga et Gustavo Ovalles. A travers ses différentes collaborations, Moonlight Benjamin a eu l’occasion de participer à plusieurs festivals et se produit aux Victoires du Jazz sur France Télévisions, aux côté de Jacques Schwarz-Bart. |
Depuis 2015, Moonlight Benjamin monte un nouveau quintet, afro-haïtien, fondée sur les rythmes traditionnels du Togo, du Bénin et d’Haïti. Elle y met en lumière les filiations des cultures musicales de ces territoires africains avec celles de son pays natal. Le vaudou y est bien sûr le fil conducteur. «Le répertoire revisité donne aux chants et aux compositions une dimension contemporaine. Sensuelle et envoûtante comme un rite vaudou, en créole ou en français, Moonlight Benjamin chante la défense de l’identité avec une émotion rares, une force hors du commun.»
Motolo
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Ah! Motolo... Les infatigables Motolo. |
NapalmA
NAPALMA's show is the result of powerful electronic dance grooves, percussion and rhythms from such rich Afro-Brazilian musical heritage mixed with a riveting performance and inspiring vocals in Portuguese, English and Shangaan (from Mozambique). The vibrancy of the band members is contagious and no audience is immune.
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Napalma is the musical inspiration born out of a fusion between Brazilian and African culture and music. Created in 2004 during carnival in Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil, the band is committed to inventing new ways to incite dance floor fever. Napalma has been on the road for the last ten years, travelling the planet and changing the way the world parties, one gig at a time in various cities around the world. They have toured extensively in Europe, South America, north & southern Africa and the Seychelles Islands, performing at venues and world famous festivals. |
Rouzbeh Asgarian Band
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Rocky impetus combined with the freedom of jazz and musical instruments from Iran. |
Shishko Disco
The band was first born in the spring of 2014 in the foothill's of the Himalayan Mountains. The band Is the musical project of Moshe Zehavi and its vocalist Joy Tyson. The diverse musical expression within Shishko spans clear across the world touching notes of Contemporary, Balkan, Turkish, Arabic, Gnawa, Latin, Rock and Funk just to name a few. SHISHKO DISCO creates an energetic, animated and theatrical show that is sure to move a room. The Live Performance is extremely dynamic from jazzy ballads to turbo balkan melodies over funky Gnawa rhythms to rocking grooves.
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The music of Shishko Disco is written and arranged by Moshe Zehavi, a Modern day Nomad who has developed this international “travelling collective” SHISHKO for some years now already. Having started somewhere around the Himalaya in India, playing sessions and festivals around Goa, being accompanied by several gifted, talented and passionate musicians on his colourful way between the middle East, India, London and now finally Berlin – like Oshan Mahony (The TURBANS), Madhav Haridaris (Nadistan), Avi & Ahmed (BUKAHARA), Onkel (Ohrbooten, Aligatoah) - the collective session concept still lives on – Moshe and Joy are the steady line-up and will be joined live by many of these amazing befriended musicians now and then. |
Shishko's music reflects the multi-cultural outlook on life and the musical world that is expressed in SHISHKO DISCO touches an authentic realm of fusion between traditions. When traditions come together it gives birth to a new, wider culture. In this way they are aiming to communicate their message: That every culture being pure and outstanding is also a part of a wider global human culture which we are unraveling ever so rapidly in this time and age.
Sistanagila
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Talking Oud by Alaa Zouiten Quartet
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The Swag
The SWAG (Seriously, We Are Good) is not just a project or a band but a family. They met via different paths and after years of hard work collaborating with artists like Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens), 50 Cent, Jaguar Wright, Adel Tawil, K.I.Z, Marteria and Sido.
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The artists of The SWAG are now building their own music history. |
Since 2012 they have been creating a unique musical style between hip-hop, soul, jazz and contemporary club music. Since 2012 The SWAG presents the hippest hip-hop underground event in Berlin-Friedrichshain at the Badehaus Szimpla called The Swag Jam. It enjoys worldwide recognition and attracts international and national superstars such as John Forté (The Fugees), Jeru the Damaja, Dead Prez, Robert Glasper, Kool Savas and Marteria. The Berlin hip-hop scene is not being neglected either; promising guests are regularly invited onto the stage. The SWAG is Germany's FINEST: Live performances at the highest level... pure music and an electrifying sense of vitality: Seriously, We Are Good!!
TILIBOO
“Tiliboo” is the word for “sunrise” in Mandingo. Being from different parts of the world allows the musicians to express songs of their homelands in innovative ways. Omar Diop leads the project Afrobeat from Berlin.
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Omar Diop is from the Casamance region in the south of Senegal, where the heritage of the West African Mandinka culture lives on. After his arrival in Berlin in 1997, Omar founded Lion Express, the predecessor of the band now called Tiliboo. Omar’s congas form the basic framework which emphasises the folkloric aspects of the project. As a child, Omar absorbed the rhythms and songs of the different cultures of Mandinka, Wolof and Jola in the Casamance region, including Serouba music with the Bougarabou drum. At the age of 15 he was already a professional performer for dance groups from the region. |
In 1992 Omar came to Europe to offer percussion workshops. In Europe he developed his very own style of Afrobeat, mixing jazz and other international styles with the traditional rhythms and melodies of Casamance.
Together with the American Conor McNally on keyboards, Nick Morrison (Charity Children/Polyversal Souls) on guitar and the French saxophonist Felix Gibaud, Tiliboo managed to fully develop the Afro-Jazz potential of Omar. Together with German bassist Charlie Birkenhauer (Echtzeit) and drummer Sebastian Maschat (The Whitest Boy Alive), the band moves effortlessly from Afro-Cuban salsa to the trance-like Casamance rhythms or from Fela Kuti-like Afrobeat to traditional Mandinka Griot repertoire.
Badou M'Baye comes from one of the most famous Griot families of his hometown Mbour in Senegal.
As a versatile artist, first-class drummer and dancer as well as expressive singer, he and his brother Yoro founded the music group Xalaas in Germany. They use different types of drums such as Sabar and Tama,and create a connection to corresponding dances to which they have added their own distinctive elements.
Willy Sahel Band
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Born in N'djamena, the Sahel zone of CHAD, Willy presents a special music with his roots from Moissala (in the south of Chad), mixes the rhythms «Klaag» & «SAYE» with Soul, Jazz & Gospel, sings in "MBAYE" his mother tongue and 8 other languages. |
Xalaas
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