music
It has been thirty years since Carlos Bica released Azul. Now an undisputed milestone in the history of Portuguese jazz, in 1996 this album marked the first time Bica had taken on the role of band leader – and it suited him down to the ground. The eponymous trio, AZUL, brings together the Portuguese double bassist and composer with German guitarist Frank Möbus and American drummer Jim Black. Among the countless projects Bica has since embraced, this one remains, to this day, his trademark.
Three decades on, AZUL remains alive and active, a rare and commendable example of longevity. The line-up remains unchanged, now matured by the years spent playing together. On stage, the rapport between these three musicians is evident, as they continue to create an original repertoire and draw inspiration from a wide variety of genres – from jazz to rock and from pop to traditional music. Following their debut in 1996, six more albums followed: Twist (1998), Look What They’ve Done to my Song (2003), Believer (2006), Things About (2011), More than This (2017) – marking twenty years in the business – and Azul in Ljubljana (2018), their first live album, recorded at the jazz festival in the Slovenian capital.
In July, Carlos Bica returns to gnration, this time with his longest-standing and most prolific trio, for a concert celebrating thirty years of freedom and creativity.
carlos bica double bass
jim black drums
frank möbus guitar
supported by portuguese republic – culture, youth and sports / general direction of the arts. portuguese contemporary art network (rpac). rtcp – network of portuguese theaters and cinemas.
