LLUMS DEL SUD
Renowned catalan composer and pianist, Xavi Torres, collaborates with Fika Kwintet, an ensemble formed by five musicians of diverse nationalities, to craft an extraordinary musical experience. Through his compositions, Torres masterfully blends the realms of jazz and classical music, achieving a harmonious fusion. The quintet, with its precision and classical finesse, converges seamlessly with Xavi and his trio, infusing the essence of jazz into the collaboration.
This project, “Llums del Sud” (Southern Lights), is inspired by the composer’s Spanish roots, combined with many other influences, from classical to folk to contemporary music. The result is music that show all kind of emotions, from nostalgia to happines, to intrigue to hope. The roles of the instruments interchange constantly and the different backgrounds of the musicians create a unique sound. The combination of improvisation, written music and different orchestrations is particularly fascinating.
About Xavi Torres and The Trio
Spanish pianist virtuoso Xavi Torres is one of the most outstanding young musicians from the European scene. He is currently living in Amsterdam, after having studied Classical and Jazz and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. He has won several prizes, including the Dutch Jazz Competition with his trio and the Enderrock 2020 Best Album Prize and Catalan Best Jazz Band, among others. He is the second Spanish to ever be in the finals of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition in December 2018, after Jorge Rossy in 1992.
He performs with the most sought-after rhythm section in the country, Clemens van der Feen (Fred Hersch, Brad Mehldau) on double bass and Jamie Peet (Gregory Porter) on drums. They have been playing together for many years and create powerful live shows that have a strong attention to detail and nuances. They are rhythmically very strong while being creative and extremely imaginative, combining the leader’s Mediterranean roots with the Amsterdam experience, classical music, and South American rhythms. The compositions and their interplay are in constant evolution and exploration, which keeps every performance fresh, bringing the audience into several emotions and states throughout the concerts.