June 14, 2015 · Team HG
Last weekend, the 21st edition of Swingin’ Groningen took place. The great program and beautiful summer weather drew thousands of people from the city and the province to the center of Groningen this year. The city center was once again the stage for modern jazz, soul, and other crossover music styles such as funk, groove, and dance. This time featuring performances by many Dutch jazz stars and a number of promising, up-and-coming talents. In addition, the relationship with Hamburg, Germany, was celebrated with a number of excellent German bands.
Thursday, June 11
As is tradition, the festival was opened with the Energizing Future Talent Contest, this time in Newscafé The Club. Five up-and-coming European talents from Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, and Groningen showed their best side in the battle for the ‘Energizing Future Talent Award’. The winner was Selen Özan from Stockholm.
Friday, June 12
Friday was a warm, summery festival day. Kehrwieder had the honor of opening the evening at the Waagplein. This year, not two, but three bands could be admired on the Grote Markt. Elske DeWall opened brilliantly with special guest Ntjam Rosie. Next up was the Prins Claus Conservatorium Big Band with special guest Ruben Hein. Mop Mop closed the evening on the Grote Markt with danceable Italian grooves, featuring special guest Anthony Joseph. Sabrina Starke and San Glaser made a great impression on the Waagplein.
Ralph de Jongh opened impressively in the Ellebogen. He immediately managed to move the audience with his heartfelt blues. Next, trumpeter and singer Michael Varekamp delivered a tight set there, and the improvising Jazzy Funky Stuff provided a swinging finale. The Boosters performed in the Poelestraat, and the German Rhonda closed the show at the Waagplein.
Saturday, June 13
Stadskabaal was a great success again this year. A unique performance in which more than 90 children and young people from the city and province, with diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, made music together. Even the main stage on the Grote Markt proved too small; the choir had to stand in front of the stage. The band Sven Hammond, with Sven Figee on Hammond organ, got off to a good start on Saturday evening on the Grote Markt, followed by the Stageband with Izaline Calister. Project Tumble T, with guitar virtuoso Peter Tiehuis, delivered a tight set on the Waagplein, and the audience listened attentively to jazz pianists Joe Dinkelbach and Addy Scheele of DEMI-SEC on the Poeleplein. On the Zuiderdiep, Rob Mostert closed the evening on Hammond organ with lively, melodic, and groove music. The highlight of the evening was the blues by King of the World, featuring guitar virtuoso Jan Akkerman and the C+B Horns.
Talent Stage
Swingin’ Groningen is proud to be a springboard for up-and-coming talent. It does this under the banner of ‘Talent Stage’. Consequently, a large number of talents could be seen and heard on the various stages. In addition, the Swingin’ Groningen program committee selected five bands for the Swingin’ Groningen Showcase. Five young, talented bands showcased their talents on Friday on three indoor stages.
The management and organization of Swingin’ Groningen looks back on a successful 21st edition.
