Mimika Ensemble is multinational London based contemporary 20 piece art ensemble formed in 2010 by the Croatian composer and saxophonist Mak Murtić and fronted by the female vocalist Maja Rivić. Their style has been described as a cinematic fusion of diverse influences.They have been compared to Prog Rock bands Gong, Magma and Yes and contemporary groups such as Snarky Puppy, Hiatus Kaiyote and the Young Blood Brass Band. However they carry a very strong big band and avant garde tradition and experimentation with them and have therefore been described as UK’s answer to Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society big band. Mimika has been performing to audiences in the UK and internationally and has recently performed on the London Jazz Festival, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, and performed on the BBC3 through the “Adopt a Composer” programme with the Clapham Community Choir which Murtic was chosen to be part of in 2013/2014. In 2014 Murtic’s compositions were also aired as part of the European Broadcasting Union’s new music programme, showcasing the contemporary music of Croatia.
Mimika is currently releasing their album “A Place Glowing a Brilliant Red” which is a sci-fi radio dramaesque satire about a Martian civilization of humans in economic decline. The group is also performing pieces from their new project “Divinities of the Earth and the Waters” which connects the voodoo traditions of Haiti with music of Eastern Europe and the philosophy of the Russian Futurist movement.
White Flower is a recently formed trio featuring Sylvia Schmidt on vocals, Will Newell on violin and Seb Silas on soprano saxophone. The trio explores the ensemble potential of combining three voices that are mostly presented as soloists. The music features poetry and music written by the members, with emphasis on simplicity, and also improvisations that segue and join ideas and themes. Melodies are derived from simple tonal ideas and folk music.
