Projects
VARADERO
Latin jazz
Erik Marenče and Janez Gabrič, a well known Slovenian drummer, went to school together in The Netherlands, where they used to play in some Latin combos. Now they are continuing with Latin-jazz trio, together with superior and experienced bass player Krešo Tomec, known by playing in band named Kubizmo.
The trio plays energetic mix between salsa and jazz. The repertoire consists of Erik’s own compositions as well as the arrangements of Cuban songs.
JANI MODER QUARTET
Jazz
Jani Moder was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the age of 3 moved back to Slovenia. He started playing guitar at the age of 8. Education – classical guitar – 12 years, graduated with honors at Karntner Landes konservatorium in Austria – jazz guitar, on scholarship graduated at Berklee College of Music. He received Stephen D. Holland award for outstanding musicianship and is featured on Berklee’s Jazz Revekation Records new CD.
Jani studied together with Mick Godrick, Joe Lovano, Dave Samuels, Dave Santoro, Darren Barret, Jeff Galindo, David Gilmore, Tim Miller, Hal Crook, Bret Willmott, Rick Peckham and other known artists.
The quartet recorded a CD with Jani’s original compositions in 2007. The lineup: Jani Moder – guitar, Žiga Golob – double bass, Kruno Levačič – drums, Erik Marenče – piano.
BINHO CARVALHO BAND
Samba, bossa nova, olodum
Binho Carvalho is young Brasilian composer, singer and guitarist from Salvador de Bahia, who has been performing for years especially in the North of Italy. In his career, he collaborated with several artists and took part in different projects. He performed in the most important ethnic and Latin-American festivals, such as Latinoamericando in Milan, Samberfest in Trieste, as well in other cities like Naples and Trento. In 2006 and 2007 he performed, in the prestigious Exit Fest in Novi Sad in Serbia, together with Banda Berimbau, the Brasilian percussions group from Trieste and gained great success. This festival was recognised as the best overall music festival in Europe of 2007, with performers such as Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill, Prodigy, Robert Plant, Groove Armada and many others.
Binho Carvalho Band is an international project which unites musicians from various countries like Brasil, Italy and Slovenia, and offers a repertoire which varies from the personal production of Binho, as an author, to traditional music from the region of Bahia, where he was born and raised. Samba-reggae, baiao and samba duro are just a few of the rhythms you will be able to listen and dance at their concerts.
LOVRO RAVBAR QUARTET
Jazz
The band has been playing together for many years. After recording first album, they mainly play original compositions, but also use some rearranged compositions from the other authors. All the promotional concerts received very positive critics and are well attended, what gives the quartet extra motivation. The acoustic compositions are very energetic and diverse, though the unique sound of Lovro’s saxophone integrates them into one thing. These exceptional compositions obtained very encouraging responses amongst musical gourmets.
The band consist of the following well acknowledged musicians: Lovro Ravbar - alto/soprano saxophones, Erik Marenče – piano, Matej Hotko - double bass, Janez Gabrič – drums.
THE FOOL COOL ORCHESTRA
Experimental jazz, big band
Rotterdam. The turn of the century. At the time they are still students, excellent, young Slovenian musicians who are upgrading their skills and gaining experience at the Rotterdam Conservatory. Among the interesting bunch are Lovro Ravbar, Janez Gabrič, Erik Marenče, and Izidor Leitinger. One night, playing cards and drinking Dutch beer they converse about the beginning of what we call today The Fool Cool Orchestra.
The team set up, has been creating this project from the very beginning and has been raising it with passion for music, interactive energy, creativity, freshness, boldness, and a strong desire to grow. Hence, the mission of The Fool Cool Orchestra’s musicians is to spread musical innovations and bring entirely new ideas into the cultural space; to collaborate with locally and internationally acclaimed musicians and artists from other fields; and to bring in new musical styles in an innovative and unique manner.
The orchestra is leaded by Izidor Leitinger, remarkable Slovenian artist with indescribable charisma, who joined talented musicians and has been gaining and sharing his knowledge locally and abroad.
MOJO HAND
Blues
Mojo Hand is Ljubljana, Slovenia based blues band that has been around for more than 10 years. The story of Mojo Hand started in 1995 when Slaven, the guitar player, returned from East Texas where he spent 2 years gigging the Houston/Galveston club circuit.
Upon returning to Ljubljana, Slaven decided to continue with what he loved the most, so produced the music band.
They have had a steady line-up for years now; the band is getting more and more prominent, arranging concerts in neighbor countries and is slowly preparing the first album.
The line-up is Azra Alibegič – lead vocal, Vanja Djuran – backing vocal, Romina Džafič – backing vocal, Slaven Kalebič – guitar, Sašo Grdadolnik – bass, Davor Skočič – drums, Erik Marenče – hammond organ.
VESNA ZORNIK&ERIK MARENČE
Tango
Since the beginning of existence, tango has been through a lot of changes, but stories about love and passion stayed the same.
Vesna Zornik, famous vocal from the band Katalena, and Erik Marenče, one of the most prominent pianists in Slovenian jazz scene, prepared a project, dedicated to the most beautiful pieces of tango. In their program you can hear compositions from Astor Piazzolla, Gardel and some other modern composers into sensual interpretation.
KATJA ŠULC “MILA KAČIČ”
Sung poetry
Mila Kačič is considered one of the most respected and favorite poets in Slovene, her poetry is full of melodies and heady rhythms. It speaks straight from the heart and directly to the heart and is intimate, expressive and emotional poetry. „Mila had become and stayed a poet because of love“ wrote Janez Menart „but love is so inconstant as a magnetic needle; if it was such, as everyone wants it, she probably wouldn‘t have became a poet“
The project has been created by a singer Katja Šulc, who made the selection of songs and invited musicians to participate. Such is also her music, embodied chanson, soft jazz and playful rhythms.
That is also a red line of Mila‘s poetry CD, love coming to be, erotic, tenderness, intoxicating happiness, obscure disappointments, loneliness, strong pain. Passion in all its forms, for the reason Mila was, as people who knew her would say, passionate in the first place.