The 2023 edition of the Transition Festival in the Netherlands had an amazing line-up of gifted musicians. Among the best performers were Howard Shore, a renowned composer best known for his work on film music like The Lord of the Rings, and Tomatito, a Spanish flamenco guitarist recognized for his spectacular playing style that combines traditional and modern elements.
Other prominent performers on the bill included Alfa Mist, a pianist and producer based in London who fuses jazz with hip-hop and electronic music, and Laura Mvula, a British singer-songwriter with a soulful voice and a predilection for mixing gospel and jazz influences into her songs.
GoGo Penguin, a Manchester-based jazz trio, dazzled the audience with their original mix of acoustic and electronic components, and Lizz Wright graced the stage with her strong vocals and soulful renditions of jazz standards. Both the well-known pianist and composer Brad Mehldau and Tunisian oud player and singer Dhafer Youssef, who expertly combines jazz and Middle Eastern music, displayed their improvisational prowess.
The Metropole Orkest performed magnificently under the direction of British conductor and arranger Jules Buckley, showcasing their diversity and variety. A trio from Norwich named Mammal Hands also made an impression with their unique and genre-busting approach to jazz.
Overall, the Transition Festival provided jazz fans with an amazing experience, showcasing the breadth and depth of the genre through a diversified roster.