Mini Jazz and Hip-Hop Festival

IcyTheFuture Records presents the second edition of ICY IGLOO - Jazz and Hip Hop Mini Festival to take place during Aarhus Jazz Festival 2024.

ICY IGLOO is focused on connecting local and international artists representing the jazz and hip-hop scene under one roof.

With roots in the Latvian capital, Elza Ozolina is an international jazz pianist, composer, and producer with strong influences from jazz traditions and old-school hip-hop. Having wanted to play the piano from the age of 4, Elza has made her way to composing music for jazz ensembles and big bands and is the leader of international jazz bands GGG3, and B.H.A.D. COMPANY. Elza has participated in international tours and produced Hip Hop recordings with Danish artist Heath SwerVain. In 2020, she released the album Lick Attack as the quintet B.H.A.D. COMPANY, which was nominated for a "Jazz or Funk Album of the Year" at the Latvian Music Awards 2021. In 2019, ELZA toured Austria as a composer and pianist with the Euroradio Jazz Orchestra, which was later played on the BBC Radio 3 program Jazz J to Z as part of Best Jazz of 2019.

A captivating celebration of the dynamic intersection of jazz and hip-hop that brings together a wide range of talented musicians and artists. As the rebirth of Neo-Soul has been a hot topic in recent years, there are enough successful artists, especially with strong jazz / hip hop scenes in the UK and US, to make it an important part of any jazz festival. This event aims to create a unique and vibrant space where the rich traditions of jazz and the urban beats of hip-hop meet, resulting in an electrifying fusion of sound, culture, and creativity. The concept of the event is to showcase strong artists in this field. ELZA makes music with jazz and hip-hop heavyweights such as Guilty Simpson, JuJu Rogers, Tom Ford, TrueMendous, STIMULUS, Leona Berlin, and others.

The concert will feature two heavyweights from the UK music scene. One is an occasional member of Chris Daddy Dave's Drumhedz and sideman to Reuben James, namely guitarist Tom Ford. Touring locally and internationally with his projects, he continues to write and produce for many artists. He has recently contributed to the latest album release from Kyle and worked with the likes of Idris Elba, Reuben James, Joel Compass, Jevon, and Vula.

The second, TrueMendous, is one of the most talented up-and-coming artists in the UK. In 2023, she opened the Women's FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, which was broadcast on BBC 1. In 2022, she debuted her long-awaited second album 'Great. On Purpose' where she demonstrates an influx of different sounds and styles from afro beats to old-school hip-hop with features from the likes of UK hip-hop veteran Skinnyman. Her music spans several genres, including hip-hop, neo-soul, pop, and jazz, and covers a wide range of topics, including toxic family dynamics, love, self-empowerment, sexuality, and under-appreciation, delivered with a whirlwind of flow patterns and remarkable vocals.

More about https://www.elzaozolina.com/