JISR

JISR stands for “bridge.” That’s exactly what the Munich-based ensemble of the same name—led by linguist, singer, percussionist, and guembri player Mohcine Ramdan—is building during its Jazz Summer Week. The group is also celebrating its tenth anniversary with these five concerts. On this evening, JISR embarks on a journey through musical worlds, all of which are inspired by the art and zest for life found in improvisation. It is also a journey through the regions of origin of this Moroccan-Argentine-Moldovan-Slovak-German collective.

Thus, snappy Argentine tango and Slavic dances sweep across the dance floor, while ornate Arabic scales wind their way through the JISR songs. Hypnotic Gnawa rhythms swirl, and Gypsy jazz traditions swing. As diverse as the collective’s influences may be, together they celebrate an exuberant festival and life with all its ups and downs, showing how close things that seem far apart can actually be.

Lineup:

Mohcine Ramdan (gembri, vocals)

Alexander von Hagke (clarinet, saxophone)

Vlad Cojocaru (acc)

Luis Borda (guitar)

Peter Cudek (bass)