alexsimu.nl

alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl alexsimu.nl Sat, 28 Sep 2019 10:45:43 +0000 https://alexsimu.nl en First page https://alexsimu.nl/First-page Fri, 31 May 2019 21:17:37 +0000 alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl/First-page ALEX SIMU "Undoubtedly virtuosic with an emotionaldepth you would expect from a veteran like Ivo Papasov"DeVolkskrant About https://alexsimu.nl/About Fri, 31 May 2019 21:17:38 +0000 alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl/About BIOGRAPHY Alex Simu is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer. _         Born in Romania, Simu followed a music education from a young age. In pursue of an international music career, he moved to the Netherlands at age 22, where he began his studies at the Prins Claus Conservatory in Groningen, obtaining a Bachelor degree in Jazz Saxophone, followed by a Masters degree from the Amsterdam Conservatory. In 2007 he received an HSP Huygens scholarship to study at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. In 2008 he was awarded the First Prize of the Utrecht Holland Casino Jazz Contest.         The same year he won first prize of the Dutch Jazz Competition at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, and in 2009 was awarded with the EBU jazz scholarship, and became a member of the European Jazz Orchestra for the project Swinging Europe lead by Peter Herbolzheimer.         After completing his studies, Alex Simu co-founded the Dutch-based quartet Arifa. Their debut album Beyond Babylon was released in 2010, followed by Anatolian Alchemy in 2012. Both albums were awarded the Best World Music Release of the year in the Netherlands, and distinguished with 5 stars by various publications.         In 2019, Alex Simu released Echoes of Bucharest, his debut album as a band leader together with his quintet. The release at Bimhuis in Amsterdam was highly received by the national press.          Also a film music composer, Alex Simu has worked since 2010 on a great number of award-winning international film productions. In 2016, he was awarded with the Golden Calf by the Dutch Film Academy for the Best Music of Beyond Sleep.         Since 2015, Simu is the main subject teacher at the Codarts University for the Arts in Rotterdam within the jazz and world music departments. He is active in the field of organology and clarinet synthesis, and has innovated the tenor clarinet, as well as brought into contemporary use the alto clarinet, clarinet d’amour, and the bass clarinet d’amour.         Active on the jazz and world music scene since 1999, Alex Simu performed and toured professionally in 46 countries over 5 continents, and shared the stage with important figures such as Alvin Queen, Brian Lynch, Benny Golson, Bennie Wallace, Peter Herbolzheimer, Mari Boine, Jorge Reyes, Naseer Shamma, Ghalia Benali, Aynur Dogan, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, and many others. Photo copy https://alexsimu.nl/Photo-copy Sat, 28 Sep 2019 10:45:43 +0000 alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl/Photo-copy PRESS https://alexsimu.nl/PRESS Thu, 26 Sep 2019 11:13:07 +0000 alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl/PRESS PRESS "A tenor sound like Sonny Rollins,blended with Balkan wizardly staccatos." – Leidsche Dagblad "Adventurous and stunningly beautiful. How much it was shared with the audience was evident from the daunting discharge after the end of the first set: an applause eruption that lasted so long that it seemed almost as if the final was reached." – Ton Maas, MixedWorldMusic "Alex Simu shows his versatility and sense of beauty by playing clarinet in a style that unites his native city of Bucharest and his current city of Amsterdam. From a completely integral attitude, the quintet made the Balkan songs with their melancholy and beautiful melodies. Amsterdam seemed a little like Bucharest tonight." – Het Parool "The venue was so full that a part of the audience was standing around the corner and could not see the band playing on the stage. But we heard clarinet, piano, viola and bass which where blending Romanian folkloric sounds with subdued, Norwegian quietness in long, poetical compositions. Those who could not see the band where enjoying with their eyes closed, leaning against the wall." – Dagblad van het Noorden "Undoubtedly virtuosic, with an emotional depth that you would expect from a veteran like Ivo Papasov."  – DeVolksktrant "A tenor sound like Sonny Rollins, blended with Balkan wizardly staccatos." – Leidsche Dagblad "His music creates dialogues and passages where the existence of unspoken text is present in the imagination of each listener."  – Málaga Hoy 5 Music https://alexsimu.nl/Music Fri, 31 May 2019 21:17:37 +0000 alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl/Music MUSIC The Latest Releases <img width="1103" height="1103" width_o="1103" height_o="1103" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6354eab3b9529c7e63d2618460a154f06b06a1794c83b254e795ca10154f6d5c/Arifa-CD-cover.jpg" data-mid="43495090" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6354eab3b9529c7e63d2618460a154f06b06a1794c83b254e795ca10154f6d5c/Arifa-CD-cover.jpg" /> <img width="2103" height="2103" width_o="2103" height_o="2103" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e7ecced18b3b6845d761562835131b2304591c1d37b24ef9fcaadd60ff9494ce/Free-Fall-cover.jpg" data-mid="43495095" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e7ecced18b3b6845d761562835131b2304591c1d37b24ef9fcaadd60ff9494ce/Free-Fall-cover.jpg" /> <img width="2103" height="2103" width_o="2103" height_o="2103" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8ccdf3d4704bef9b9f44b9f7ac943f1eb3ef37747191e6c37a2e781341c8cf50/EoB.jpg" data-mid="43495097" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8ccdf3d4704bef9b9f44b9f7ac943f1eb3ef37747191e6c37a2e781341c8cf50/EoB.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="3000" width_o="3000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c88e8e4d1343bbb5d96695afcbcd62535de77d1e879395ef0fed0e98cf841962/Improvisie-cover-3000x3000.jpg" data-mid="43507115" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c88e8e4d1343bbb5d96695afcbcd62535de77d1e879395ef0fed0e98cf841962/Improvisie-cover-3000x3000.jpg" /> Alex Simu Quintet https://alexsimu.nl/Alex-Simu-Quintet Sat, 01 Jun 2019 08:04:16 +0000 alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl/Alex-Simu-Quintet ALEX SIMU QUINTETECHOES OF BUCHAREST Echoes of Bucharest - a reflection of the present, a fragrance of the past and a glance into the future  of a city with a rich multicultural legacy. The compositions of this suite encounter no rules or boundaries, only love, and the urge to create and share. The vision is built on two main pillars - innovation and heritage, and aims to shape sounds into a unique audience experience. The music and the concept behind the compositions are a natural reflection of Alex Simu’s experience with his hometown, expressed through the lens of his emotional and historical ties. All sounds are inspired by the history of Bucharest, from its creation and evolution, to its contemporary times and future. Found at the juncture between East and West, Romania benefited from rich cultural influences which lead to the creation of various identities throughout its historical evolution. Purely folkloric sounds, the dramatic influence of the Ottoman Empire, the Phanariot epoch, the Little Paris illusions, the two world wars, the communist regime, the revolution, and the contemporary Bucharest, they all become subtle echoes reflected through the spirit of the music on this album. All the various influences that have carved the cultural identity of Bucharest over time come to life as melodies, rhythmic themes, and motifs. Complementing the original compositions, thematic fragments of classical pieces by George Enescu and Dimitrie Cantemir have been specially arranged to harmonize with the contemporary language of jazz and free improvisation. <img width="2300" height="1533" width_o="2300" height_o="1533" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b5de7ffb31a19f2006b36c26f34d5cf531472213638b941ffb5efc4e2438378b/Alex-Simu-Quintet-1.jpg" data-mid="43507522" border="0" data-scale="100" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b5de7ffb31a19f2006b36c26f34d5cf531472213638b941ffb5efc4e2438378b/Alex-Simu-Quintet-1.jpg" /> <img width="2300" height="1533" width_o="2300" height_o="1533" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e187d9984e9550302002c4bde919ae45b0efcf0c36744480443c80e5dacc7cec/Alex-Simu-Quintet-2.jpg" data-mid="43507523" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e187d9984e9550302002c4bde919ae45b0efcf0c36744480443c80e5dacc7cec/Alex-Simu-Quintet-2.jpg" /> <img width="2300" height="1533" width_o="2300" height_o="1533" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/80019a90e7ece545aa3b819102443442fa0b013c028345a0dacf07b2a0c27c70/Alex-Simu-Quintet-3.jpg" data-mid="43507524" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/80019a90e7ece545aa3b819102443442fa0b013c028345a0dacf07b2a0c27c70/Alex-Simu-Quintet-3.jpg" /> Alex Simu – clarinets (Romania)    Franz von Chossy – piano (Germany) George Dumitriu – viola/guitar (Romania)    Mattia Magatelli – bass (Italy)    Kristijan Krajnčan – cello/drums (Slovenia)  Tour Dates https://alexsimu.nl/Tour-Dates Fri, 31 May 2019 21:17:38 +0000 alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl/Tour-Dates TOUR DATES 21 SEP 2019 ︎ Arifa Matrix, Rotterdam (NL) TICKET 22 SEP 2019 ︎ Arifa Helende Geluiden, Haarlem (NL) TICKET 22 SEP 2019 ︎ Arifa De Ruimte, Amsterdam (NL) TICKET 10 OCT 2019 ︎ Multiphonics7 ft. Joris Roelofs Altes Pfandhaus, Köln (DE) TICKET 11 OCT 2019 ︎ Multiphonics7 ft. Joris Roelofs Domicil, Dortmund (DE) TICKET 13 OCT 2019 ︎ Alex Simu Quintet Altes Pfandhaus, Köln (DE) TICKET 18 OCT 2019 ︎ Arifa Willem Twee Concertzaal, Den Bosch (NL) TICKET 20 OCT 2019 ︎ Arifa Handelsbeurs, Gent (BE) TICKET 27 OCT 2019 ︎ Improvisie Vreedehuis, Den Haag (NL) TICKET 9 NOV 2019 ︎ Lucian Ban & Alex Simu Cinema Lira, Brăila (RO) TICKET 12 NOV 2019 ︎ Lucian Ban & Alex Simu Institutul Francez, București (RO) TICKET 13 NOV 2019 ︎ Lucian Ban & Alex Simu Centrul Multicultural al Universității Transilvania, Brașov (RO) TICKET 14 NOV 2019 ︎ Lucian Ban & Alex Simu Târgu Mureș (RO) TICKET 15 NOV 2019 ︎ Lucian Ban & Alex Simu Sinagoga, Bistrița (RO) TICKET 20 NOV 2019 ︎ Alex Simu Quintet Nijmegen (NL) TICKET 21 NOV 2019 ︎ Alex Simu Quintet Het Penninckshuis Deventer (NL) TICKET 23 NOV 2019 ︎ Alex Simu Quintet La Briqueterie, Strasbourg/Schiltigheim (FR) TICKET27 NOV 2019 ︎ Alex Simu Quintet BOZAR/Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels (BE) TICKET28 NOV 2019 ︎ Alex Simu Quintet Handelsbeurs, Gent (BE) TICKET 29 NOV 2019 ︎ Alex Simu Quintet In Het Koorenhuis, Den Haag (NL) TICKET30 NOV 2019 ︎ Arifa QBus-zaal van het Muziekhuis, Leiden (NL) TICKET1 DEC 2019 ︎ Arifa Doopsgezinde Vermaning, Zaandam (NL) TICKET 1 DEC 2019 ︎ Lucian Ban & Alex Simu Theater de Cameleon, Amsterdam (NL) TICKET 3 DEC 2019 ︎ Lucian Ban & Alex Simu Altes Pfandhaus, Köln (DE) TICKET6 DEC 2019 ︎ Alex Simu Quintet St James Church Paddington, London (UK) TICKET13 DEC 2019 ︎ Bright Bridges Muziekpublique, Brussels (BE) TICKET15 DEC 2019 ︎ Bright Bridges De Centrale, Gent (BE) TICKET 16 DEC 2019 ︎ Bright Bridges Handelsbeurs, Gent (BE) TICKET 1 FEB 2020 ︎ Aynur Dogan Opera, Hannover (DE) TICKET Photo https://alexsimu.nl/Photo Sat, 01 Jun 2019 10:04:05 +0000 alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl/Photo Contact https://alexsimu.nl/Contact Sat, 01 Jun 2019 10:21:43 +0000 alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl/Contact CONTACT Email: simualex(&)gmail.com ARIFA https://alexsimu.nl/ARIFA Fri, 31 May 2019 21:17:38 +0000 alexsimu.nl https://alexsimu.nl/ARIFA <img width="1103" height="1103" width_o="1103" height_o="1103" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6354eab3b9529c7e63d2618460a154f06b06a1794c83b254e795ca10154f6d5c/Arifa-CD-cover.jpg" data-mid="43507119" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6354eab3b9529c7e63d2618460a154f06b06a1794c83b254e795ca10154f6d5c/Arifa-CD-cover.jpg" /> 2019 ︎ ARIFA SECRET POETRY 1 Secret Poetry   2 The Temple   3 Naomi’s Dance   4 Thracian Tale   5 Anonymous Lights   6 Dream Keeper  7 Santa Sofia   8 Invisible Ocean  9 Node  10 Tiflis Alex Simu clarinets Franz von Chossy piano Sjahin During percussion set ︎ BUY ALBUM