Management & Booking
Helen Kontos
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BOI AKIH
the voice is a beautiful instrument and the guitar has a beautiful voice
Zohar Brouwer
From and to Infinity
𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘰 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 is a composition by Niels Brouwer, originally written in 2019 for the 70-piece bamboo flute orchestra Molucca Bamboowind Orchestra from Ambon City.
For the performance at the Orgelpark, Brouwer has written new arrangements for a unique line-up of organs, recorders, kora, guitar and voice.
In these new arrangements, Monica Akihary and Niels Brouwer, who together form Boi Akih, play together with Hungarian recorder player Dodó Kis, kora player Sekou Dioubate from Guinea and pianist Nora Mulder.
𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘰 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 comprises four movements: The Sea, Dryland, The City and Joy. Pieces originally composed for the bamboo orchestra – from piccolo to bass bamboo flute – are now performed by Nora Mulder on a variety of organs, including the Utopa Baroque organ and the Sauer organ. The arrangements make optimal use of the Orgelpark’s wide range of organs. Together, the musicians explore all sound possibilities, leaving plenty of room for improvisation.
Monica Akihary, voice, bass kalimba, electronics
Niels Brouwer, guitars
Sekou Dioubate, 35-string kora, slitdrum
Dodó kis , soprano, alto, tenor and paetzold bass recorder
Nora Mulder, organs
interview New Music Now The organ as flute orchestra
Maarten Mooijman
Maarten Mooijman
Maarten Mooijman
Maarten Mooijman
Storyteller is a story in colours and sounds, a story of a journey full of unexpected encounters. BOI AKIH effortlessly weaves modern jazz and improvised music with folk traditions from all over the world, creating a unique sound that is unconventional, yet totally recognisable and accessible. Acoustic sounds and electronic soundscapes merge with the versatile, warm voice of Monica Akihary, who sings in both English and Haruku, the language of her father’s island. In Storyteller Akihary and guitarist and composer Niels Brouwer, who form BOI AKIH, are joined by recorder player Dodó Kis and kora player Sekou Dioubate. Together, these four evoke a world where boundaries dissolve and the distances between places, time and traditions don’t seem to exist.
For Storyteller Brouwer and kora player Zoumana Diarra developed a striking and unique kora. With an ingenious extension they rendered the originally diatonic instrument suitable for Boi Akih’s eclectic pieces. But in July of this year, in the middle of preparations for the first Storyteller concert, BOI AKIH’s musical soulmate and dear friend died.
Storyteller could only continue after BOI AKIH found in Sekou Dioubate a kora player who, like ‘Zou’, combines a thorough knowledge of the West African musical tradition with an inquiring mind and the desire to integrate various musical influences into his playing. With the same musical curiosity, recorder player Dodó Kis moves nomadically between styles and traditions, from improvised to early music and Hungarian folk music. These two young musicians give BOI AKIH a whole new character with their musical energy and ideas.
Monica Akihary vocals,bass kalimba
Niels Brouwer acoustic nylon seven string guitar, harp guitar
Sekou Dioubate 35 string kora
Dodó Kis soprano,alto, tenor and paetzold bass recorder
Special quests:
Vernon Chatlein percussion and vocals
Nippy Noya percussion
The press on Storyteller
“Storyteller is a wonderfully resonant blend of cultures and textures which hails traditions and innovations alike. Akihary and Brouwer have always shown deep respect for tradition but know, too, that without evolution there is stagnation.”
All About Jazz feb 2021
“..balance, daring, new musical insights and an intriguing mix of composed and, especially, improvised music.”
JazzNu jan 2021
“Storyteller” is another great album from Boi Akih, and if you get the opportunity to hear the two, three or the whole “hurven” (band) live nearby, sometime after corona has left us, then you should grab the chance. I can guarantee you a delightful concert.”
Salt Peanuts dec 2020
Matthieu Landweer
Matthieu Landweer
Matthieu Landweer