@Wardrobe Saturday 20 July Doors open 8pm Music starts 8.30pm
Bex Burch brings her unique energetic and intense vibe to Leeds for the first time with her band Vula Viel! The band name means “Good is Good” in Dagaare, the language of the tribe in Upper West Ghana where Bex lived, farmed and studied for three years. Vula Viel’s music is intensely rhythmic; a uniquely engaging mix of African, punk and minimalist influences, based around the Gyil (the Dagaare xylophone made of sacred lliga wood).
Described as “Ghanaian minimalism”, with the unassuming ability to blur the lines between atmospheres – Vula Viel’s sound may nod to Steve Reichian jazz, but influences don’t stop there: one can hear jazz echoes of Bill Laswell and the irresistible energy of Arthur Russell.
Bex Burch (Gyil)
Ruth Goller (Bass)
Dave Smith (Drums)
“…music at its most magical and exotic, world-groove of the highest calibre; it’s flawlessly clever without losing a single iota of wonderful feeling. I guarantee that you will not have heard anything quite like this before” ~ PROLE JAZZ
In Bex’s own words: “I have loved making this music. The incredible Dagaare systems which form the foundation have given me the structure on which to write tunes, craft grooves and choose my own meanings. I’ve gone deeper into what moves me in the Dagaare music, the fundamentals – asymmetry, space and chaos. I love how Do Not Be Afraid feels – a totally unusual and unique groove. As musicians, Ruth and Jim are incredible: They bring passion, talent, intuition and a depth that I wouldn’t have access to without them.”
“Beautiful .. Dance to it, Make Love to it, Consume it, Listen to it, Stare at the Clouds to it.. That music deserves good reactions!” ~ Iggy Pop
“One of my discoveries for the London Jazz Festival.. Good is Good” ~ Gilles Peterson
“Like Portico Quartet on steroids” ~ Jazzwise
Support is from Leeds favourite salsa band Las Cameradas 8.30-9.15pm
Intrigued? Check the concert out at the Wardrobe on 20th July…
Tickets : https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/jazzleedsfestival2019
