Oriol Roca Trio & Lynn Cassiers

© Joan Cortès
© Clara Conill
@ Joan Cortès
© Xavi Almirall
© Joan Cortès

ORIOL ROCA TRIO & LYNN CASSIERS

 

 

Catalan drummer and composer Oriol Roca has been leading his own trio –Oriol Roca Trio– since 2017 with pianist Giovanni Di Domenico and double bassist Manolo Cabras, two important figures in the jazz and European improvisation scene with whom Oriol Roca has been collaborating for more than twenty years.

 

The album Mar released by the Belgian label El Negocito Records in 2017, praised by critics and awarded in Catalonia with the Enderrock Award for Best Jazz Album 2018, marked the debut of Oriol Roca as leader and composer with a record of high emotional intensity, leading him to participate on many occasions in northern Europe and to strengthen ties with the scene of the Belgian musical avant-garde.

 

 

 

 

In 2022 and after the stoppage imposed by the pandemic, Oriol Roca Trio returns and does so with Lynn Cassiers, singer and soundscaper based in Brussels considered one of the most remarkable voices in the European improvisation scene, capable to use any genre of music without prejudice to create her own label-free music universe, as evidenced by her acclaimed latest album YUN released with the prestigious label Clean Feed.

 

Lynn Cassiers’ collaboration with Oriol Roca Trio further strengthens the desire to put the melody at the center of the trio’s sound, establishing a natural communication between the four musicians based on complicity, risk and friendship built throughout over 20 years of making music together.

 

The premiere of the project Oriol Roca Trio & Lynn Cassiers took place during the Alhamabra Vic Jazz Festival on May 2022 in an exclusive concert, a co-production between Alhambra Vic Jazz Festival and the catalan record label Underpool. The concert was recorded live at the Jazz Cava de Vic and was released by Underpool on February 11th 2023 in vinyl format:

 


 

 

ORIOL ROCA TRIO & LYNN CASSIERS – Live at Jazz Cava 

 

Lynn Cassiers: voice, electronics

Giovanni Di Domenico: piano

Manolo Cabras: double bass

Oriol Roca: drums, compositions

Album review by Georges Tonla Briquet on Jazzhalo.be

 

“Opening with a song title like “What’s The Point?” testifies the vision and attitude that characterizes this foursome. They put the world into perspective and constantly question themselves. The contrast of freedom versus connectedness also emerges. Musically, that is a fact that fits this group like a glove. They know each other through and through, as a result of which both concepts are continuously magnified by each other. The freedom is guaranteed to improvise to your heart’s content, but this is done within the limit of mutual uniformity.”

 

 

Album review (****) by Jean-Claude Vantroyen on Le Soir

 

“Oriol Roca is a drummer and composer from Barcelona. He regularly came to Belgium, accompanied by two of the best musicians and improvisers on the Belgian jazz scene, Giovanni Di Domenico on piano and Manolo Cabras on double bass, two Italians based in Brussels. Their music is based on their complicity, which thus weaves natural, melodic, harmonic improvisations, full of sensitivity. For their performance at the Vic Jazz Festival in Barcelona, ​​in May 2022, they enlisted the exceptional voice and inventive electronic landscapes of the Belgian Lynn Cassiers. This concert at the Jazz Cava was fortunately recorded. This is what is offered today. And these are 43 minutes of beauty on the music of Oriol and the words of Lynn, which are the starting point for poetic improvisations. I love Lynn’s way of creating soundscapes, of painting sometimes elegiac, sometimes mysterious paintings with her airy voice, slightly transformed by electronics. I also love his liveliness in creating sound effects, layers, echoes to support the music. And what about Oriol, Giovanni and Manolo, who intertwine harmonies and melodies in the most lively and beautiful way to support Lynn’s lyrics? This very personal, very original album arouses emotions, leads to dreams, broadens horizons. The group is on April 28 at Sounds in Ixelles.”

 

 

Album review by Candido Querol on B!ritmos

 

“Oriol Roca, Barcelona 1979 is a composer and drummer of what we can consider European free jazz. And I say European because his formations have musicians of different nationalities. While he maintains his trio Tàlveg, together with Marcel·li Bayer (sax) and Ferran Fages (guitar) or MUT trio with Miguel Fernández (sax) and Albert Juan (guitar), all Catalan and interested in improvisation like him. In this case, he returns to his “European” trio with the Italians Manolo Cabras (double bass) and Giovanni Di Domenico (piano) with whom he had already recorded MAR (El Negocito records, 2017). And with whom he has other duet recordings. In fact, he already met Di Domenico at the Conservatory in The Hague twenty years ago and immediately began to play together united by that fondness for improvisation that they still practice. In this Live at Jazz Cava (UnderPool 2023) the trio is joined by the singer soundscaper Lynn Cassiers, for some the most unique vocalist in Belgian jazz and improvisation. On first listening to the album (I’ve had a few) it reminded me of the work of Rebekka Bakken (vocals) and Wolfgang Muthspiel (guitar) on the wonderful Daily Mirror Material records, 2000. But let’s go with the compositions of this Live at Jazz Cava, recorded by UnderPool live at the Jazz Cava in Vic. The first theme is “What’s the Point?”. Drums entrance, original start showing arms. And the voice and the double bass twinned in a line of work. Cabras rises above the rest and the first electronic dalliances mix fluidly with Cassiers’ voice and the soundscape takes shape in my head. The music is signed by Roca and the lyrics by Cassiers, but immediately improvisation prevails and everyone works on that sound layer that we like so much. “I should be going”. Now it is Di Domenico’s piano who introduces the theme, close to the old spirituals, the first two minutes are for him. Cassiers joins in, what a beautiful voice! But Cabras takes the bow (I suppose) and the “irreverent” sounds take over the situation. Suddenly a world of “antichrist” appears to cover up the old spiritual sounds and that change makes the song turn 180 degrees, leaving the last two minutes for Di Doménico to reintroduce them all back to the church. “Low”, now it’s time for Cabras to start, a hurtful pulsation, perfectly combined with the rest who aren’t looking for melodies either, all creating tense environments that force us / allow us to imagine where we are going. Another formation in which Roca collaborates comes to mind, the Piccola Orchestra Gagarin with the Sardinian Paolo Angeli (guitar) and the Russian Sahsa Agranov (cello) and specifically a concert in which they accompanied Mariola Membrives, stuffed in those astronauts (because of Gagarin). But let’s get on with the record. “The Mutilated” is an adaptation of the poem El Mutilat by Gabriel Ferrater (Reus, 1922). It is interesting to read the poem to see how Roca’s composition has managed to enter into that state of mind of the words that Ferrater left us. The instruments know how to respect the rhythm of the singer and Cassiers knows (very well accompanied by the piano) rise and fall in waves of emotions. Interchangeably using song and narration as required by the text. “No time”, suggests a traditional song to me. With that piano accompanying the narration, that voice that rises like the one telling a story. “No hard feelings” is a beautiful ballad, improvisation and free for a moment have left a space for the jazz trio and a beautiful voice to let us get excited from the most “classical” jazz. A bit like those paintings by abstract painters, in which people exclaim, see how they also know how to paint! As the hand strikes, then gives a flower… to finish “Carousel,” which once again bets on the freedom of execution, Roca sets a rhythm of “whoever wants to follow me” and the whole group launches into playing freely. As said, an album to listen to many times and enjoy more and more.”

 

 

Concert review by Martí Farré on Núvol

 

“One of the most remarkable merits of this encounter was the style of the proposal itself, difficult to categorize, which is no small thing: straddling pop, contemporary jazz, song, electronica… The other was the convergence between two aesthetic universes, that of Roca and that of Cassiers, with a long, fruitful and experienced trajectory separately. And what at first could seem like a superimposition of sound layers – the trio of Oriol Roca and the spectral voice of Lynn Cassiers, supported by tricks and electronic effects – immediately became an extraordinary complement to two bands: Cassiers said and the others pointed out, even embellished – above all the pianist Di Domenico – and all together with a route that sometimes progressed by palpitations or, even, by leaps and bounds. Surprising was, in fact, the combination of fragments of high energy voltage with others of almost balladic calmness, of studied slowness. Songs, in the long run, dressed in a different aesthetic, with a very similar climatic tone – there was almost no counterpoint, no sudden turn of the script – but with a thousand and one details of excellence, with moments of brilliance individual, by everyone, and solos and accompaniments that were taught like who doesn’t want the thing.” 

 

 

Concert review by Xavier Castillón, El Punt Avui

 

“On Sunday evening, the Sala Galà in Cassà de la Selva became, thanks to the Jazzà concert series, a small refuge of peace and beauty, of music not forcedly friendly or built to please the masses or the algorithms, but made with passion and respect by musicians used to traveling and conquering the hearts of listeners step by step, without rushing. Precisely, the respect was what the Barcelona drummer and composer Oriol Roca (1979) thanked the audience present in the hall, at the end of the concert, on behalf of his colleagues: the Roman pianist Giovanni Di Domenico (1977) and the Sardinian double bassist Manolo Cabras (1971), who complete his stable trio between Brussels and Barcelona, and the Belgian singer and sonic landscaper Lyn Cassiers (1984), brilliant vocalist who truly creates unique sound spaces with her voice, the microphone that he moves closer or further away from his mouth and the machines that help him sculpt the syllables he emits like just another instrument. As Roca explained after the concert to the spectators who wanted to share an informal chat with the musicians, the album they presented in Cassà, Live at Jazz Cava, is the result of a co-production between the Vic Jazz Festival and the active label Underpool, which makes possible an old desire of Roca: to add the musicality of his trio to a vocalist, preferably Cassiers, with which had already coincided with the jazz scenes of the Belgian capital, where Cabras and Di Domenico are also installed. During the rehearsals prior to the recording of the disc in Vic, last May 7 – in fact, the first public performance of the quartet–, Roca was taking to Brussels the compositions to which Cassiers incorporated the lyrics, with the only exception is The Mutilated, which adapts and translates into English a poem by Gabriel Ferrater, which talks about emotional mutilations. Since May, the four musicians have not been on stage again until the series of concerts in Catalonia that ended on Sunday in Cassà, but their good work and their great understanding became evident during the hour in concert: a superb demonstration of contemporary jazz at this Jazzà, which thanks to the collaboration between the Culture department of Cassà City Council and Underpool is becoming an essential jazz oasis.”

 

 

Album review on New Music Jason

 

“Oriol Roca is a drummer and bandleader from Spain. He has been recording and performing with his Trio for over twenty years. Their latest album, Live At Jazz Cava, pairs them with Belgian vocalist Lynn Cassiers, for a seven-song set at Barcelona’s Jazz Cava de Vic. It’s dark and moody, with Cassiers’ beautiful and altered voice projecting an air of mystery. The album closes with Carousel, giving all involved a chance to show off their improvisational prowess. Go cats, go!” 

 

 

Album review on Warmth Highest

 

“Belgian jazz vocalist, and master of electronics, Lynn Cassiers, makes avant garde singing emotionally relatable on this exceptional album. It’s ethereal, dreamy, and romantic. And very human and comforting as well. The band is so incredibly outstanding. Even Cassier’s electronic accompaniment with her own voice is stellar and compliments the vibe. On all counts, it feels like she’s leading the band and boy oh boy are they quick on their toes putting forth unbelievable accompaniment. Sometimes bassist, Manolo Cabras, puts forth some initial landscape but Cassiers explores it at her own pace and pleasure and with extraordinary and pleasing confidence. Giovanni Di Domenico’s piano playing is heavily showcased on I Should Be Going but then the song takes a wild left turn into the avant garde and he comes out of it sounding something like Keith Jarrett. But he also plays in an impressionistic manner that channels Debussy. This is especially true when he’s quick on the draw to find the perfect accompaniment to Cassiers. And obviously the percussion is huge since Oriol Roca is the band leader. He and Cabras have a very intuitive relationship but he’s also impressionistic like Giovanni Di Domenico. It’s kind of odd to think of a percussionist like that but he drives the band with a dreaminess through his peculiar pace and rhythm. It’s also big. His percussion adds layers of texture in the same way electronics do in other music. Enjoy this great album.”

Oriol Roca Trio & Lynn Cassiers – I Should Be Going

 

Oriol Roca Trio & Lynn Cassiers – The Mutilated

 

ALBUMS

 

Oriol Roca Trio

© Josep Tomàs
© Cees van de Ven
© Joan Cortès / Tomajazz
© Cedric Craps
© Albert Alcantara
© Cedric Craps

ORIOL ROCA TRIO

 

 

 Oriol Roca Trio & Lynn Cassiers 

New album! Click here for more info

 



 

The Barcelona percussionist Oriol Roca has performed alongside some of the best improvisers and composers of creative music in Spain, as well as collaborating with figures like the Italian Paolo Angeli and Norwegian Jan Bang. But this is the first time Roca leads and writes music for his own band. He is accompanied by two old comrades, the pianist Giovanni di Domenico and the double bass player Manolo Cabras, two Italian musicians based in Brussels.

 

The natural communication between them – built after more than fifteen years playing together – is the perfect canvas for Roca’s music, that demands subtlety and a strong musical personality. The pianist Giovanni Di Domenico (Nate Wooley, Arve Henriksen, Jim O’Rourke) and double bassist Manolo Cabras (Charles Gayle, Erik Vermeulen, Enrico Rava) are two of the most personal voices on the European jazz and improvisation scene. Together they form a trio built on complicity, risk and friendship.

 

Oriol Roca is now débuting as leader and composer with a record of high emotional intensity, sometimes serene and at others volcanic, where north is always the melody. The debut album Mar is released by Belgian label el NEGOCITO Records, a Ghent based label focused on alternative and improvised music.

 

GIOVANNI DI DOMENICO: piano

MANOLO CABRAS: double bass

ORIOL ROCA: drums

 

www.elnegocitorecords.com

 



 

MAR Best Jazz Album 2018 Award – XX Premis de la Música Catalana / Enderrock

 

“Oriol Roca is an excellent drummer who offers us a sober and deep album which opens an infinity of doors for the future of this trio, which we will follow with interest.” Improjazz (FR)

 

“Oriol Roca is a drummer with a simmering sensitivity that does not lack muscle. His playing has continued to send us back to one of the greatest percussionists known to free music, the huge Barry Altschul, whose Oriol appears today as the obvious successor.” Focus Vif (BE)

 

“A slow, placid and involving work, which requires careful listening.” Tomajazz (Spain)

 

“Oriol Roca is one of those drummers who demonstrate to us, by this great sensitivity that characterizes him both as a musician and as a composer, that the art of percussion consists in emphasizing the impulse of a music. ‘Mar’ is an album bursting with ephemeral pleasures, a music that takes the time to be concise, to get to the point and say things once.” Citizen Jazz (FR)

 

“It’s an uneasy serenity Oriol Roca settles into on his new recording Mar. All of the ingredients necessary for a strong dose of tranquility are present: melodic fragments suggestive of possible endings, the murmur of percussion like slow, easy breaths while dreaming, and highly-charged, vivid imagery. But the drummer, along with his trio of pianist Giovanni Di Domenico and double bassist Manolo Cabras achieve a tone that is subtly ominous and reveals a strange beauty.” Dave Sumner, Bird is the worm (USA)

 

“The magnetizing and extremely minimalistic playing leads to an almost mystical listening experience where every feeling of time and space disappears. A surprising listening trip” Georges Tonla Briquet, Jazz’Halo (Belgium)

 

“Oriol Roca bounces from one rhythmic to the next, coloring more than hitting, draws air movements more than he structures.” Diane Gastellu, Citizenjazz (FR)

 

First album as leader of the drummer Oriol Roca. With the double bass of Manolo Cabras and the pianist Giovanni di Domenico, both old comrades of the Barcelona musician, they build a dense, yet diverse, and spacious sound space; just like watching the open sea in full navigation.” Enderrock Magazine (ESP)

 

 

 

 

ALBUMS

 

 

 

‘MAR’ Oriol Roca Trio / Album review on Focus Vif Magazine

MAR (el NEGOCITO Records 2017) by Oriol Roca Trio

 

“Le Catalan Oriol Roca, dont c’est le premier album en tant que leader, est un batteur d’une sensibilité frémissante qui ne manque pas de muscle pour autant. À l’écoute de ce magnifique trio, son jeu n’a cessé de nous renvoyer à l’un des plus grands percussionnistes qu’ait connus la free music, l’immense Barry Altschul (Sam Rivers, Anthony Braxton), dont Oriol apparaît aujourd’hui comme l’évident héritier. Mais, même si cinq des compositions du CD sont dues à sa plume, Mar ne se résume pas à son seul leader et ne pèserait pas bien lourd sans la prestation du pianiste Giovanni Di Domenico, improvisateur souple et intelligent qui transcende chaque titre -Manolo Cabras, à la contrebasse, n’étant pas en reste. Indispensable.”

 

Read the complete review on www.focus.levif.be

Picture by Ray Molinari ©

MAR · New album by Oriol Roca Trio

The Barcelona percussionist Oriol Roca has performed alongside some of the best improvisers and composers of creative music in Spain, as well as collaborating with European figures like the Italian Paolo Angeli and Norwegian Jan Bang. But this is the first time Roca leads and writes music for his own band with the album ‘Mar’, published by Belgian label el NEGOCITO Records.

 

 

Mar is a record of high emotional intensity, sometimes serene and at others volcanic, where north is always the melody. His two fellow musicians of the trio are Italians living in Brussels who he has shared projects with for fifteen years: the pianist Giovanni di Domenico, collaborator of Jim O’Rourke and Arve Henriksen and the double bass player Manolo Cabras, sideman of Enrico Rava and Charles Gayle.

 

Oriol Roca will be playing two album release concerts on Sepetmber, at 29th Mercat de Música Viva de Vic (Vic, Spain) on September 15th 2017 and at Jamboree Jazz Club (Barcelona, Spain) on September 16th 2017.

 

Album available on www.elnegocitorecords.com

 

Go to ORIOL ROCA TRIO

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