The Grachtenfestival and the Keep an Eye Foundation are joining forces for a spectacular new series of concerts: 'the Jazz Gems'. In this series, four "Gems" are selected, these top talents from the highest rank are given complete freedom to put together their own program. Expect new compositions, challenging collaborations and spectacular locations. These are the Jazz Gems!
With her velvet sound, sparkling sound language and compelling compositions, the Dutch saxophonist, composer and bandleader Kika Sprangers (Nijmegen, 1994) is one of the most captivating musicians in our country. Kika lets her musical story enter the listener through emotional and honest playing. In her own words: “If listeners are moved by my music, that is the greatest compliment I can receive”. Especially for the Grachtenfestival she brings her new performance "Daughter" to the unique location DOOR OPEN SPACE.
In "Daughter" Kika Sprangers lets her voice be heard together with nine female singers. In the raw location 'DOOR Open Space' the voices of the women come together to share daughter stories in image, music and text. Kika Sprangers about this combination: 'The human voice is closest to the emotion. In my playing I always try to match the human voice with my saxophone sound or at least get as close as possible to it. I find the sound of a (women's) choir overwhelming and I think the combination with saxophone will be very beautiful. Telling an intense story together with these female voices is a long-held dream come true.”
Kika Sprangers is developing the performance Dochter with director Xander Straat and with the support of National Youth Orchestras of the Netherlands. This performance is made possible in part thanks to the BNG Bank Music Prize that Kika Sprangers received in the fall of 2019 from the BNG Cultuurfonds, thanks to the OpenUp Muziekfonds (via the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds) and the Municipality of Arnhem.
This series is made possible in collaberation with the Keep an Eye Foundation
