This trio is brandnew and has booted just last february 2017. Brazilian drummer Portugal (1984) and Dutch alto saxophonist Van Kemenade (1957) met each other for the very first time on stage in Italy at the Roccella Jonica Jazzfestival 2016 where they performed in duo a completely improvised concert. It was an overwhelming experience and Van Kemenade asked Portugal over to the Netherlands to record a cd in duo and also in trio with Dutch pianist-keyboard-player Jasper van ’t Hof (1947). Playing in this duo-trio setting felt very exciting and challen-ging and a great new trio is born. Together they recorded the cd ‘Daytime Sketches’ which will be released coming may 2017. All three musicians got lots of credits worldwide, toured all over the world and won numerous awards.
Drummer and percussionist Mariá Portugal is known from her works with a.o. Quartabê, Arrigo Barnabé, Dona Zica and Fernanda Takai.
Altoist Van Kemenade is known for his collaborations with diverse musical disciplines and cultures ( South-West Africa). He played with Ray Anderson, David Murray, Han Bennink Markus Stockhausen, the Metropole Orchestra, Jorge Pardo, Jamaaladeen Tacuma and many others. Recieved in 1999 a lifetime achievement award ( Boy Edgar Prijs ) and a Royal decoration (2007) in the Netherlands.
CD Daytime Sketches (2017)
Press:
Downtown Music Gallery (US): ‘Will the world of wonders ever cease to exist?!? Certainly not here'
****NRC (NL): ‘fantastic album, musicians reach great heights’
Jazzsquad (RU): 'Frankly, I did not find any songs on the album that I did not want to hear again.'
Jazzflits (NL): '...lyrical playing combines ‘power’ with melancholy and poetry.'
VPRO Vrije Geluiden (NL): 'Highly recommended.'
Participation in festivals: 2018