Perpetuum Jazzile

Last updated
Perpetuum Jazzile
PJ+LOGO.png
Background information
Origin Slovenia
Genres A cappella, pop, jazz, bossa nova, funk, soul
Instrument(s) Singing, beatboxing, scat singing
MembersMonika Avsenik, Bojana Bergant, Klemen Brezavšček, Urša Cigler, Tomaž Cör, Sara Česnik, Anamarija Čotar, Tim Čuček, Katarina Dolenc, Jana Gamser, Luka Grižonič, Tara Henigman, Jana Hladnik Tratnik, Nataša Jovanovič, Anej Kebrič, Katja Kovačič, Anja Koren, Arian Krašna, Žiga Jan Krese, Barbara Lipovšek, Ursula Luthar, Mateja Mackenzie, Ana Marčun, Karin Možina, Nina Mrak, Anže Orehek, Vanja Osolnik, Blaž Papež, Liza Pucihar Peklenk, Tadej Premužič, Tomaž Rojko, Mojca Rusjan, Andraž Slakan, Katja Stropnik, Dominik Štrucelj, Jan Trost, Boštjan Usenik, Nastja Vodenik, Kristjan Virtič, Sašo Vrabič, Maja Žumer

Perpetuum Jazzile is a Slovenian musical group best known for an a cappella version of Toto rock band's song Africa. The May 2009 video showing a live performance of this version has received close to 22 million views on YouTube. [1]

Contents

The group was founded in 1983(41 years ago) as Gaudeamus Chamber Choir and has always featured male and female singers. In 2013, there were 41 performers of whom 24 are female and 17 male. [2] The group occasionally performs with the Slovenian Radio and Television Big Band though most performances are a cappella.

Leadership

The group was founded by Marko Tiran who led the Gaudeamus Choir for over 17 years. In 2001, the choir's art leadership was passed to Tomaž Kozlevčar. During his 10-year tenure, the group started performing under the new name and achieved international acclaim. [3] Most recently, the group's art leader was Peder Karlsson, from 2011 to 2014. [4]

History

The sopranos' section during a concert at the 2015 Vokal Xtravaganzza Perpetuum Jazzile - Vokal Xtravaganzza 2015 - 21.jpg
The sopranos' section during a concert at the 2015 Vokal Xtravaganzza

In 2006, the group recorded the album Čudna noč (Strange Night) which was released by Dallas Records. Group's performance of song Africa earned them high praise from song's original co-writer, David Paich [5] and Toto invited the group for a joint performance at a 2011 concert held near Udine, Italy. [6] In 2011, the choir embarked on a world tour which took them to Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Canada, and USA, where they performed to sold-out venues.

Every year in autumn, the group performs Vokal Xtravaganzza evening concerts at the Cankar Hall in Ljubljana, with guests from Slovenia and abroad. In the past, they have performed with local artists Alenka Godec, Alya, Oto Pestner, Jan Plestenjak, and Nuša Derenda, as well as with international groups Vocalica (Italy), The Real Group (Sweden), ManSound (Ukraine), BR6 (Brazil), and The Real Six Pack (Germany).

In May 2015, Slovenian duo Maraaya who represented Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song Here for You released a video of this song featuring Perpetuum Jazzile. [7] In June 2015, the group performed at the Expo 2015 in Milan, Italy, and at the Guangzhou Opera House in November that year.

Awards

Andraz Slakan conducting Perpetuum Jazzile in October 2015 Perpetuum Jazzile - Vokal Xtravaganzza 2015 - 04.jpg
Andraž Slakan conducting Perpetuum Jazzile in October 2015

In 2008, the group was awarded the Vokal Total Award at the International Choir Festival and International A Cappella Competition [8] and it also won awards at the international jazz vocal music competition in Tilburg, Netherlands, and the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria. In 2010, the group was awarded the "Viktor Award", a top level music award in Slovenia.

Discography

Related Research Articles

In the minds of many foreigners, Slovenian folk music means a form of polka that is still popular today, especially among expatriates and their descendants. However, there are many styles of Slovenian folk music beyond polka and waltz. Kolo, lender, štajeriš, mafrine and šaltin are a few of the traditional music styles and dances.

The King's Singers are a British a cappella vocal ensemble founded in 1968. They are named after King's College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six choral scholars. In the United Kingdom, their popularity peaked in the 1970s and early 1980s. Thereafter they began to reach a wider American audience, appearing frequently on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the United States. In 1987, they were prominently featured as guests on the Emmy Award-winning ABC television special Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Real Group</span> Swedish a cappella group

The Real Group is an a cappella group from Sweden. Members are Clara Fornander, Joanné Pastor Nugas, Johannes Rückert Becker, Axel Berntzon and Daniele Dees. The group's members compose and arrange most of their songs. They sing in English and Swedish and cite American vocalist Bobby McFerrin as an inspiration.

Jovano, Jovanke is a traditional folk song originating from the region of Macedonia. It is popular in and frequently performed in North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and the Macedonia region of Greece. The song has also been adapted and performed in neighboring Balkan states such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia. It is about two young lovers separated by their disapproving parents. The song mentions the Vardar river which runs through present-day North Macedonia and present-day Greece.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomaž Šalamun</span> Slovenian poet (1941–2014)

Tomaž Šalamun was a Slovenian poet who was a leading figure of postwar neo-avant-garde poetry in Central Europe and an internationally acclaimed absurdist. His books of Slovene poetry have been translated into twenty-one languages, with nine of his thirty-nine books of poetry published in English. His work has been called a poetic bridge between old European roots and America. Šalamun was a member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts. He lived in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and was married to the painter Metka Krašovec.

Angel City Chorale (ACC) is a Los Angeles choir conducted by founder and artistic director Sue Fink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Slovenia</span> Pattern of human activity and symbolism associated with Slovenia and its people

Slovene culture is the culture of the Slovenes, a south Slavic ethnic group. It is incredibly diverse for the country's small size, spanning the southern portion of Central Europe, being the melting pot of Slavic, Germanic and Romance cultures while encompassing parts of the Eastern Alps, the Pannonian Basin, the Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oto Pestner</span>

Oto Pestner is a politician and one of the most prominent singers and composers of popular music from Slovenia. He is the leader of the Slovene vocal group New Swing Quartet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alenka Godec</span> Slovenian jazz and pop singer (born 1964)

Alenka Godec is a Slovenian jazz and pop singer.

<i>Africa</i> (Perpetuum Jazzile album) 2009 studio album by Perpetuum Jazzile

Africa is a 2009 Perpetuum Jazzile album. The most-well known piece from the album is an a capella version of Toto's "Africa". A YouTube video showing group's performance of this song was uploaded in May 2009 and has since been viewed close to 22 million times.

<i>Čudna noč</i> 2006 studio album by Perpetuum Jazzile

Čudna noč is an album by Slovenian a cappella band Perpetuum Jazzile released in 2006 by Dallas Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of Slovenia, Washington, D.C.</span>

The Embassy of Slovenia in Washington, D.C. is the Republic of Slovenia's diplomatic mission to the United States. The embassy in Washington is also responsible for representing Slovenia in Mexico. The chancery is located just off Embassy Row at 2410 California Street NW in the Kalorama neighborhood. Consular assistance is also provided by Slovenia's network of consulates in the U.S. and Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Svetlana Makarovič</span> Slovenian writer, actress, illustrator and chanteuse

Svetlana Makarovič is a Slovenian writer of prose, poetry, children's books, and picture books, and is also an actress, illustrator and chanteuse. She has been called "The First Lady of Slovenian poetry." She is also noted for borrowing from Slovenian folklore to tell stories of rebellious and independent women. She is well-known adult and youth author. Her works for youth have become a part of modern classic and youth canon, which both hold a special place in history of the Slovenian youth literature. She won the Levstik Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2011.

Don Mentony Band is a blues, boogie and rock and roll group from Slovenia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slovenia at the 2014 Winter Olympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Slovenia competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, from 7 to 23 February 2014. Sixty-six competitors were chosen to participate, in eight sports. For the first time since the country's independence, the Slovenia men's national ice hockey team qualified for the Olympic tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinkara Kovač</span> Slovenian singer and musician (born 1978)

Tinkara Kovač is a Slovenian singer and flautist. She represented her country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, finishing in 25th place.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Here for You" written by Raay, Marjetka Vovk and Charlie Mason. The song was performed by the duo Maraaya, which consists of Raay and Marjetka Vovk. Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija organised the national final EMA 2015 in order to select the Slovenian entry for the 2015 contest in Vienna, Austria. Eight entries competed in the national final where the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, the top two entries were selected by a three-member jury panel. In the second round, "Here for You" performed by Maraaya was selected as the winner entirely by a public televote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here for You (Maraaya song)</span> Song by Slovene duo Maraaya

"Here for You" is a song by Slovene duo Maraaya. It was written by Raay, Marjetka Vovk and Charlie Mason. This is their second single released on 28 February 2015 at the Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 final night. The song represented Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Blue and Red" written by Marjan Hvala, Manuella Brečko and Leon Oblak. The song was performed by ManuElla, which is the artistic name of singer Manuella Brečko. Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija organised the national final EMA 2016 in order to select the Slovenian entry for the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden. Ten entries competed in the national final where the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, the top two entries were selected by a three-member jury panel. In the second round, "Blue and Red" performed by ManuElla was selected as the winner entirely by a public televote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amen (Ana Soklič song)</span> 2021 song by Ana Soklič

"Amen" is a song by Slovenian singer Ana Soklič. The song represented Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

References

Bibliography