Jazz and world will be in the limelight at this year's WOMEX, with a special programme dedicated to the array of jazz professionals who have been coming to WOMEX for years. WOMEX 11 will offer them many new opportunities, including performances by top jazz artists, a Conference Session and a Networking event.
A Conference Session presented by Europe Jazz Network will addresswhere jazz sits within the rubric of world music. Blues & Roots: The Fertile Ground of Jazz & World Music, will be led by Gerry Godley (Ireland), Improvised Music; Mehmet Ulug (Turkey), Pozitif Productions; and Oliver Belopeta (Republic of Macedonia), Skopje Jazz Festival. It will question how we respond to artists whose music easily straddles both jazz and world music definitions.
The Jazz & World Networking Meeting at WOMEX, also organised by Europe Jazz Network, will provide a valuable opportunity to make contacts, discuss and develop new ideas.
The WOMEX 11 Artist Award will honour a legendary artist: Hugh Masekela, the trumpet prodigy, fiery denouncer of Apartheid and Afro-jazz pioneer from South Africa. He will also perform on Sunday morning, 30 October 2011, at Koncerthuset during the WOMEX Award Ceremony from 12:00 - 14:00, which is accompanied by a WOMEX Networking Breakfast - both are open to WOMEX delegates only.
The Showcase Festival line-up includes the maestro of the quarter-tone trumpet, Ibrahim Maalouf (Lebanon/France), at the crossroads of jazz and Arabic music.
