Two weeks to go until the new edition of Jazz:Re:Found. In its past editions, the forward-looking festival has brought to Italy names such as hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash, techno legend group Underground Resistance, funk-jazz Brazilian masters Azymuth and many more.
This year’s theme Black & Forth sums up the two core points of the festival’s essence: a celebration of black music in its broadest sense – from jazz to hip-hop to d’n’b – and a continuous research for the newest and most exciting projects in contemporary music.
Although officially kicking off on 6th December, Jazz:Re:Found has already brought great music to Milan and Turin in the past weeks, with two preview events featuring Bonobo and Nickodemus DJ sets at the end of October and a stunning live act by American eclectic duo KNOWER two weeks ago. This Saturday 30th November, the last preview gig before the festival will see no other than Yasiin Bey AKA Mos Def in charge. Considered one of the best MCs of all time, the Brooklyn rapper, actor and activist will bring his conscious rap and soulful music to the stage of Supermarket club in Turin.
The festival will kick off on Thursday 6th December with local funk-hip hop band Funk Shui Project together with Davide Shorty, one of the best Italian soul voices. Following the great success of their album Nuova Napoli, Nu Guinea – playing live on Saturday with full band – are undoubtedly one of the most awaited acts, together with DJ Khalab’s live set featuring three of London’s brighter talents, Moses Boyd and Tenderlonious and Joe Armon-Jones.
Besides live acts, dance music has always been an essential part of the festival, strengthened this year by J:R:F’s recent partnership with FAT FAT FAT Festival, another gem in the Italian festival scene. Brokenbeat collective Bugz In The Attic, Rush Hour Music founder Antal, Portuguese selector Mafalda, and Vancouver DJ Jayda G are just some of the names that will set the dancefloor on fire during one of the hottest weekends of the year.
