Boi Akih

Boi Akih
Origin Amsterdam, Netherlands
Genres World, Jazz, Indian, Classical, Folk, Moluccas traditions, Sunda traditions, Bali traditions, improvisation.
Years active 1997-present
Labels Enja Records, EMI
Associated acts Ernst Reijseger, Sean Bergin.
Website http://www.boiakih.com/
Members Monica Akihary, Niels Brouwer, Sandip Bhattachraya, Wolter Wierbos, Kim Weemhoff.
Notable instruments
vocals, guitar, prepared guitar, tabla, percussion

Boi Akih is a jazz/world music trio based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, composed of Monica Akihary on vocals, Niels Brouwer on guitar and prepared guitar, and Sandip Bhattachraya on tabla and percussion.[1]

The group fuses musical traditions from the Molucca Islands, Bali, Dutch (European) jazz, improvised music, classical Indian music and traditional African music. Initially started as a duo, the music is written by Brouwer and the lyrics are written by Brouwer and Akihary.

Training and study

Sandip Bhattachraya, studied with Pandit Ishwar Lal Misra, in the style of the legendary tabla maestro Pandit Anokhelal Misra and has performed with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Prabha Atre, Lakshmi Shankar, Shujaat Hussain Khan, Ustad Munawar Ali Khan, Tarun Bhattacharya, and many others. Niels Brouwer studied at the Hilversums Conservatorium, now the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Monica Akihary is a graduate of visual arts studies in Amsterdam and Yogyakarta (Akademi Seni Rupa). Both studied classical Indian music in Bangalore (2002) and Mumbai(2004).

Linguistic importance

One of the unique aspects of Boi Akih is found in Monica Akihary’s lyrics. She writes and sings in her father’s native language, which has been regarded as moribund by the scientific world. Since 1998 Brouwer and Akihary have been working with Dutch and Australian linguists who study Haruku language.[2] With their help and support, Boi Akih not only keeps the tradition of the Langzame alive, but also employs the language in its most authentic form, poetic self-expression.

Collaborations

Boi Akih has collaborated with Michael Vatcher, Ernst Reijseger, Ernst Glerum, Owen Hart Jr., Sean Bergin and Wolter Wierbos.

Recent projects

During their Indonesian tour last September, Monica and Niels met the gamelan virtuoso I Made Subandi, who lives in Gianyar, Bali. They invited I Made Subandi to play the chromatic gamelan in a line-up with voice, guitar, saxophone/clarinet, bass and drums. The project, “Philosophy of Love”, premiered in 2010. A live performance in Beijing will take place on September 3, 2010 at the Star Live Music Hall.[3]

Touring and performing

Boi Akih spends most of their time performing in the European Union, playing at such notable venues as: Berlin Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz,[4] Kaunas Jazz Festival, and Bimhuis.[5] They have also appeared on diverse radio and TV programs, such as: VPRO, France2, Radio France, The BBC, ORF, and RTL4.

Critical response

Discography

References

  1. ↑ "Ton's Musical Musings: Boi Akih at the Bimhuis | Exchange". Ode Magazine. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
  2. ↑ "Boi Akih - Winternachten - internationaal literatuurfestival Den Haag". Winternachten.nl. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
  3. ↑ "Boi Akih 2010 Beijing Concert Performance Events - City_Entertainment Guide_www.manfen.com 满分网". Manfen.com. 2010-06-29. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
  4. ↑ "Boi Akih North Sea Jazz". northseajazz.com. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
  5. ↑ "Boi Akih Bimhuis". vprojazzlive.radio6.nl. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
  6. ↑ "Boi Akih - Yalelol". enja Records. 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2010-07-28.

External links

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