C.E.A. E N S E M B L E Contemporary European Arts

E u r o p e a n J a z z & V i s u a l i s a t i o n

S y l w i a B i a l a s Poland/UK - v o i c e T o r e J o h a n s e n - t r p., f l g h. J ö r g B r i n k m a n n Germany - c e l l o A n t o n i o Z a m b r i n i Italy - p i a n o, a r r. J e s p e r B o d i l s e n - d b b a s s M i c h e l e S a l g a r e l l o Italy - d r u m s M o n i k a S. J a k u b o w s k a Poland/UK - d i g i t a l a r t C.E.A E n s e m b l e

Width and roughness of the nordic soundscapes with the lirycism of the polish Folklore and Italian melodics in connection to the modern visual artwork.

Dynamical interplay of the diverse european origins: Eastern (polish) Northern (norvegian and denisch), Southern (Italian) and western (German) linked in the contemporary project. Acoustic purity of sound with slight electronic - effects based on the interplay of the solo - instruments (voice, horn and cello) and the piano–trio.

C.E.A E n s e m b l e plays the original compositions of all the members arranged by the piano-player Antonio Zambrini.

The band has a very specific and homogenic sound. Instrumental way of Integra- ting the voice in the arrangements and the strong international musical influences create the unique atmosphere and character of the compositions.

The music of the ensemble shows the balance between the tasteful arrangements, dynamical interaction, wide space and dealing silence...

The visual artwork delivered as a component to the conception the project intensi- fies the expression the entire athosphere. All the images were created to interact with the compositions.

The idea of creating the C.E.A E n s e m b l e was initiated by the polish singer Sylwia Bialas and inspired by the long lasting musical friendships between her and the other band members of the project. S y l w i a B i a l a s (Poland/UK) - voice, composition

„Bialas`flexible, changeable timbre and the instrumental approach to improvisation turns her voice into an adaptable, interactive and unique musical instrument. Her way of phrasing is very peculiar in both: soulful sung lyrics and the picturesque vocali- ses.“ Sylwia Bialas` music is essentially touched by styles like ECM and ethno . The strong influ- ence of the eastern culture is indispensably audible in her way of musical expression. „Mu- sic is my precious way of sharing, with both the musicians I`m honoured and happy to work with and with the audience...“

Till now she cooperated with artists like (It/USA), Peter Phippen (U- SA),Asaf Sirkis (ISR/UK), Frank Harrison (UK), Patrick Bettison (USA) (UK), Asaf Sirkis(ISR/UK) (Germ), Adrian Mears (Austral.), Zbigniew Lewandowski (Pol), Stephan Schmolck (Germ), Marcus Schieferdecker (Germ), Band "The shin" (Georgia), Hubert Winter, Rudi Engel (Germ), Jeffrey Chin(USA), Russ Spiegel (USA), Roine Sangenberg (SWE) and many other great musical personalities. Sylwia Bialas was a member and initiator of various International Music & Art projects as well as the diverse bands touring in Germany, Poland Italy and Scandinavia. Her recent projects: The Sirkis/Bialas International Quartet (UK), Sylwia Bialas Quartet, Deep Endeavour (scandinavian art project). Sylwia Bialas did recordings for the soundtracks: "Krabat", 20th Century Fox, "Paradies auf Erden" for the German Art TV channel. Singer in the theater production "Lucifer`s Mat- ches" (Germany). Homepage: www.sylwiabialas.com, www.myspace.com/sylwiabialas T o r e J o h a n s e n (Norway) - trumpet, flgh., composition

Born in Bodø, Norway, 23. December 1977.

Educated at Conservatory of Music, department of jazz studies 1996-2000 and 2007-2009 (Master).

Has worked with musicians such as Steve Swallow, , and , , Hal Galper, , , , , , , , Rigmor Gustafsson, , Georg Riedel, Anders Jormin, and Knut Riisnæs to name a few. Played in the with and and on other pro- jects with Bendik Hofset, , Palle Mikkelborg, and New York Voi- ces.

Has composed and arranged music for choirs, big bands and string orchestras.

Receieved the Stubø-prize in 2005.

Co-founder of the jazz label Inner Ear, along with his brother Roger. www.innerear.no, http://www.torejazz.no J ö r g B r i n k m a n n (Germany) - violoncello , composition

This exciting avant -garde cellist expands the boundaries of the violoncello in his very own way to great, astounding effect. He found an unmistakably specific style with his unique approach using different playing- techniques unusual and unheard of for his instrument. These techniques ranging from guitar inspired to a groove orientated Bass playing encompassing Upright and Electric bass, combined with the tasteful use of electronics made him emerge into a multifaceted player in a number of highly regarded, successful and stylistically different bands and productions. Brinkmann won several classical and jazz-concours. He is part of jazz groups, chamber ensembles, crossover theater, dance-productions, also frequently requested for pop. He has been invited to play concert halls and festivals all o- ver the world. Jörg Brinkmann has released over 15 records on various well known international music labels like ACT-Music, Jazzsick and Challenge Records. His musical character is faithfully expressed in his own trio (JÖRG BRINKMANN TRIO) with pianist Oliver Maas and drummer Dirk-Peter Kölsch, with whom he recorded the album Ha! for german label ACT-MUSIC, and in the trio „OLIVER´S CINEMA“ with trumpet player Eric Vloeimans and Accordionist Tuur Florizoone. (Challenge Records) In addition, he works with great musicians like Michael Schiefel (PLATYPUS TRIO-BMC RECORDS) or Claudio Puntin (TRIO DOLCE VITA). „All About Jazz“ says: „He creates a multifaceted stylistic approach, comfortably assuming the role of bassist with the kind of groove that would be unexpected from a classically trained cellist, were it not for his extensive, genre-rich resumé. Represents the viewpoint that jazz tradition is but one aspect of contemporary improvised music.“ A n t o n i o Z a m b r i n i (Italy) - piano, comp., arrangement

Jazz piano player and composer from . Antonio Zambrini has drawn attention of the- critics and musicians especially with his “songs”and several trio and quartet recordings. He`s compositions had been reprised and played by various musicians of the jazz scene. The Trumpet - player and composer Ron Horton hosted Zambrini on his CD “It’s a gadget world” , recorded in New York in 2006, recording some Zambrini`s compositions.

Stefano Bollani, the italian piano player has opened his solo album with Zambrini`s com- position produced by ECM, the famous German label, issued on 2006.

Mr. himself recorded a series of Zambrini’s tunes in a sequence of three cds they realized together for label “Phillogy” in 2008

English pianist John Law simply dedicated his cd “The moment”, in 2002 to Zambrini’s mu- sic.

Zambrini was a guest in several broadcastings by national Radios. He was for 7 years partner of Cineteca Italiana, Milan, improvising at the piano live so- norization of silent movies. Among others, Antonio Zambrini performed with Lee Konitz, Mark Murphy , William Par- ker, Tiziana Ghiglioni, , Ron Horton, Nenna Frenlone, Hamid Drake, Claudio Fasoli, Tiziano Tononi, Ben Allison, Gabriele Mirabassi, Kyle Gregory, , Ja- vier Girotto, Eliot Zigmund… J e s p e r B o d i l s e n (Denmark) - db b a s s, composition

“Like NHOP, Bodilsen possesses a warm sound, great dexterity, virtually faultless intonation and an aura of calm even in the midst of volcanic eruptions. He is a lyrical player whose supple lines unfold with ease” (JAZZTIMES, US)

The Danish bass player, composer, producer and educator was born Ja- nuary 5th 1970 in Haslev, Denmark.

While studying at the school in Aarhus Bodilsen also worked as a professional musician. In June 1994 he was asked to perform at two All Star Concerts at the Riverboat Jazz Festival together with American drummer and pianist . These concerts was a kind of breakthrough for Bodilsen and in the years to come he was peforming with other great jazz artists like James Moody, , Lee Konitz, , , , and . Often at the legendary jazz club BENT J in Aarhus.

In 1995 Bodilsen moved to and he was immediately asked to join the Erling Kroner Dream Quartet. He was touring with different Aarhus and Copenhagen based bands in the years to come when he in 1997 met Ed Thigpen again. Ed Thigpen wanted him in his trio and together with pianist the trio recorded their first album “It´s Entertainment” in 1998. The album was nominated for a Danish Grammy and won the JazzSpecial Prize “Album Of The Year”. Bodilsen was playing and recording with Thigpen until 2010 - a collaboration that lasted 13 years and the music is well documented on 6 al- bum releases.

Jesper Bodilsen has always been interested in producing music, finding interesting musicians to perform with and create new constellations. He has been a co-producer for Danish voca- list Katrine Madsen for more than a decade but in 1999 he started his first band “Scandi- navian ”. They recorded 2 albums and did tours in Europe, SE Asia, China and Australia. He started his own music production company in 2002 and until now he has produced mo- re than 15 albums, recorded and performed with many great artists. In 1998, 2002 and 2004 Bodilsen was asked to perform at the prestigious Jazzpar Prize concerts and in 2002 the prize winner was italian trumpet player Enrico Rava.

Bodilsen did 4 concerts with Rava, , Gianlucca Petrella, John Abercrombie and Morten Lund and after the final concert in Copenhagen he asked Bollani and Lund if they would be interested in playing together again.

One year later (in march 2003) they did the first trio tour and their first recording for Stunt Records “Mi ritorni in mente”. The first issue of this trio album was released as Jesper Bodil- sen Trio.

In 2004 Bodilsen was awarded with the Django d'Or Prize as “Performer of the Year” and that same year the trio recorded their second album “Gleda”. Now all the names of the trio was on the cover. The album was no. 4 on the Charts in 2005 and nomina- ted for an Australian Bell Award 2006 for “Best International Jazz Album”.

From the start the trio was touring around Europe playing clubs and festivals like the Um- bria Jazz festival, and the legendary Birdland in New York.

After “Gleda” they recorded with singer Katrine Madsen. The album is called “Close To You” and was nominated for a Danish Music Award as “Best Vocal Jazz Album”.

Then 4 years went by before they recorded again. This time on the highly estimated ECM label and with producer Manfred Eicher. The album “Stone In The Water” was acclaimed the best trio recording of 2009 by several jazz magazines around the world.

Two of the songs on the album was composed by Bodilsen and that same year he went in the studio with Swedish guitarist , Peter Asplund on trumpet and the Finnish vibraphone player Severi Pyysalo to record a new album mainly with his own songs. The album “Short Stories for Dreamers” was released in 2010 and was praised for its calmness and lyrical mood.

Recently Bodilsen has also been a part of the succesful TV-shows “Sostiene Bollani”. In the fall of 2011 the trio, with Bollani being the host, did 6 shows brodcasted on the Italian na- tional channel RAI 3. Besides touring around the world, recording albums and teaching at the conservatories Bodilsen has also spent more and more time on composing music.

In the fall of 2012 a new album will be released with his music - displaying his skills as a composer, bandleader, bassplayer and producer.

World-class bassist - Jesper Bodilsen toured all over the world and music critics wrote:

“Like NHOP, Bodilsen possesses a warm sound, great dexterity, virtually faultless intonation and an aura of calm even in the midst of volcanic eruptions. He is a lyrical player whose supple lines unfold with ease” (JAZZTIMES, US) M i c h e l e S a l g a r e l l o (Italy) - drums

„one of the most complete of emerging Italian jazz drummers of his generation“

Michele Salgarello is a musical chameleon embracing with his drum-sound the total ambi- ence of the band, reacting constantly on every dynamic and musical movement. His extre- mely expressive way of playing and the sonorous sound of his cymbals play creatively and powerful with musical tensions, putting innumerable, diverse shadings inside of them.

Michele Salgarello shifts effortlessly between jazz, experimental music and selected pop. Recording to date more than 70 albums under labels such as Sony, Edel, Venus, Music Center and Egea, his drumming has encompassed a wide variety of musical styles. Included in his numerous collaborations -- live performances and recording sessions -- Anto- nio Farao, Chihiro Yamanaka, Ralph Alessi, Xavier Davies, Avishai Cohen, Franco Cerri, Eddie Henderson, Marco Tamburini, Don Friedman, Gary Queen,Walter Blanton, Mike Tracy, Dave Howard, Drew Gress, Furio Di Castri, Tino Tracanna, Sandro Gibellini, Sante Palumbo, Antonio Zambrini, Mario Rusca, Pepe Ragonese, Francesco Bearzatti, Milko Am- brogini, Johnny Falzone, Carlo Morena, Mario Zara, Tullio Ricci, Alberto Bollettieri and Giampiero Lo Bello.

Michele continues his growth as an artist through ongoing participation in specialized semi- nars, training through Tirano Jazz, Siena Jazz, School for Improvisational Music of New York, Permanent Laboratories of Musical Research of Stefano Battaglia and other well known venues promo- ting excellence. Most recent of Michele's scholastic accolades, a one-of-a-kind, two-year scholarship as International Master at the prestigious Siena Jazz Foundation -- the In.Ja.M, International Jazz Master Program. www.myspace.com/michelesalgarello M o n i k a S. J a k u b o w s k a (Poland/UK) - photography

Monika’s passion for photography began when as a child, her father converted their ba- throom to a darkroom. Since then she has developed a unique approach to photography combining fluidity of imagination with a keen eye for the beautiful, the unique and the dra- matic. Monika’s photography has won numerous awards including from Getty Images. See has worked with stars of music, theatre and cinema across the globe doing both priva- te photo shoots as well as documenting performances.

C.E.A. E N S E M B L E