JAM CIRCLE is a series of live concerts meant to document the contemporary jazz scene from Romania, in order to support musicians in releasing their fresh works, bringing their
performances into your home and heart. The project brings a new spark to the Romanian cultural landscape. The artists in the Jam Circle come with fresh air in their lungs and invite everyone to feel the groove of their original music. What’s inside the circle? 8 bands, 23 musicians, 1 muralist, 1 photographer, 1 graphic designer, 2 sound engineers, more then 180 minutes of original music, 8 live performances, 1 compilation album. We invite you to see what we’ve been cooking this year and follow the artists in the circle. We believe that “JAM CIRCLE” created the environment for a big leap, an environment to support creativity and growth.
You can listen to the audio compilation and download it for free, but we also recommend you to watch the entire 8 episode series to immerse completly into our circle.
See below the complete list, starting with the latest releases.
A-C Leonte & The Bash (episode 8)
A-C: “Music has the immense power to change! It can instantly and also on the long run, change someone’s mood, someone’s mind, and I think that an artist has a huge responsibility to use this potential wisely. The purpose of my work is to support and
help the listener, the audience, the people, the community, my friends (... and also myself), engage in a conscience state of mind, always aiming for our superior Self and live by the greater good, without forgetting to lose control from time to time, have fun, even when everything is upside down, be free, stay true.”
A-C Leonte - vocals, violin, fx
Albert Tajti - rhodes, keys, synth
Alex Arcuș - sax, flute, fx, synth
Tavi Scurtu - drums
MUNTET (episode 7)
Muntet is a contemporary jazz act with a visceral approach, that, in its own way, contributes to the expansion of the universe. His take on Jam Circle is an introspective journey meant to dive in completely and come out clean - hopefully, enriched - for sure.
Alex Munte - tenor sax
Albert Tajti - Rhodes & synth
Sándor László - bass
Borislav Petrov - drums
Marta Popovici & On The Fly (episode 6)
“Round Dance” is a jazz suite in 4 chapters, composed by Marta Popovici, premiered @ “JAM CIRCLE” live sessions, a tragic love story that describes the dissolution of a couple and the retrieval beyond the material barrier. The suite will be part of Marta’s first album, soon to be released!
Marta Popovici - vocals
Bogdan Tanase - guitar
Adi Stoenescu - keys
Mike Alex - bass
Gabi Matei - drums
Ineffable (episode 5)
Even if they are really young, “the ineffables” are potent musicians and already released their second album, called “New Dimension”. They find inspiration in various genres such as jazz, R&B, electro, soul & funk, with twisted rhythms and rich harmony embodiments.
Réka-Kata Regián – vocals, flute
Tihamér Szereceán – bass, synth bass L
ukács Márton– keys
Szerecean Osszian – drums
Adi Stoenescu Group (episode 4)
You know what they say: ”If plan A doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters”. Make that 30, if you're in Romania, listening to fresh new Romanian jazz straight out of the JAM CIRCLE.
No need for plan B or C in this suave musical gem originally composed by Adi Stoenescu for this performance. ”The Alphabet”, as he poignantly named the piece you are going to listen to, gently walks us through a changing landscape of contemporary jazz, along with two special guests from Bulgaria: Borislav Petrov (drums) and Mihail Ivanov (contrabass).
The enchanting voice of A-C Leonte and the tenor sax of Alexandru Arcuș complete this liberating experiment conducted by pianist Adi Stoenescu.
Adi Stoenescu - rhodes piano
Borislav Petrov - drums
Mihail Ivanov - contrabass
A-C Leonte - voice
Alexandru Arcuș - tenor sax
7th Sense (episode 3)
We are usually taught that humans have five basic senses. Ask a neurologist and you might get a surprising answer. Many identify nine or more senses — some listing even twenty-one.
But if you ask 7th Sense, our latest addition to the JAM CIRCLE, not only will you get several answers — you'll also get a FEELING: fresh, new Romanian jazz with a touch of contemporary British flavor.
The pieces that 7th Sense band chose for this concert are just a preview of their journey and of the emotions they want to share. Whatever the hurdles and hardships we encounter, there's always a light we need to hang on to in the daily chaos, they strongly believe. Poet Amanda Gorman puts this idea into splendid words: "For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it — if only we're brave enough to be it".
Laura Benedek - bass
Adi Stoenescu - rhodes
Sergiu Bivol - trumpet
Gabi Matei - drums
Arcuș Quartet (episode 2)
The second video from the JAM CIRCLE series is a fierce live performance of the quartet led by saxophone player Alexandru Arcuș. Combining spicy rhythm layers, heavy soundscapes and sweet flows of interplay, this is one of the most intense acts coming out on the contemporary Romanian jazz scene.
Alex Arcuș - tenor sax
Bogdan Tănase - guitar
Florian Nicolau - bass
Iulian Nicolau - drums
The Jam Community & Singer: Takeover (episode 1)
The Jam Community = a bunch of friends and musicians who love to play, improvise and explore new sound landscapes. African music, blues, jazz, soul, funk, rock, dub, disco, hip hop, drum’n’bass, nu jazz — they won’t say no to any source of inspiration, to any excuse to interact freely & share their cathartic experiences. In this set, singers might takeover “a little” bit, a debut in this case, a 9 piece band with 4 delightful lead singers.
A-C Leonte - vocals
Marina Arsene - vocals
Marta Popovici - vocals
Inessa - guest singer
Albert Tajti - keys
Alex Arcuș - sax & flute
Bogdan Tănase - guitar
Florian Nicolau - bass
Iulian Nicolau - drums
The Jam Circle Team
Darius Rus - sound recording
Tavi Scurtu - mix & master
Gabriel Durlan - director, camera operator, editor
Lidia Ilie - camera operator
Alexandru Claudiu Maxim - camera operator
Dan Dima - camera operator
IRLO - artwork
Elena Reghintovschi - graphic designer
Ioana Teodora Raicu - photographer
Mihai Vasiu (TZUC) - interviewer
Nomi Blum - host
Alexandru Arcuș - producer
Ana-Cristina Leonte - project manager
Cristian Neagoe – PR
Parteners: UCIMR, Enjoytv, Black Rhino Music, The Jam Community, Arc Records, Loudcity.fm, Criticeyez.
Jam Circle is co-financed by The National Cultural Fund Administration. The project does not represent the ideas and beliefs of The National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content or the way the project results can be used. They are the sole responsibility of the grant beneficiary.
