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.
Valia Calda is a project founded in London by brothers Thodoris & Nikos Ziarkas. A project that fulfils their shared passion for composing and performing music that is inspired by the Greek Folk tradition, whilst drawing influences from a vast variety of styles.
Their involvement with the Greek traditional music from an early age, followed by their interest in contemporary music has created the urge to combine into their music Mediterranean sounds, Jazz harmonies, complex Balkan rhythms and free improvisation.
The diversity of rhythmic language, improvisations, and sounds that is brought into compositions, alongside with experimental arrangements of Greek folk tunes merges the group’s material. Each member embraces the material with a unique approach and creativity exploring new sonic possibilities and always expanding the group’s musical boundaries.
Valia Calda was invited to appear on the BBC Proms Plus Late series in September 2014, an event that was recorded and broadcasted by Radio 3. Other performances include EFG London Jazz Festival 2014 and Cambridge Jazz Weekend amongst others. The band’s debut EP was released in November 2014 as an independent production, which will be followed by a European tour.
Line-up:
- Sam Warner on trumpet
- Rob Milne on bass clarinet & clarinet
- Nikos Ziarkas on guitar
- Thodoris Ziarkas on bass and
- Gaspar Sena on drums
