‘Cuts of Culture 2 – The Podcasts’: Week 4a

For week 4 of the Cuts of Culture 2 Podcasts we bring you more exclusive video and audio, this time from France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Grazzhoppa’s DJ Big Band provides the video, with a promo of their live shows, while Netik provides the audio, with an exclusive track recorded specially for the Cuts of Culture 2 compilation.

DJ Grazzhoppa’s DJ Big Band – DJ Big Band video
Grazzhoppa’s DJ Big Band is a unique project, started and headed by Grazzhoppa in 2004. Grazzhoppa is one of Belgium’s finest and longest standing DJs, producers and tablist, part of the Real Tablit collective and label (alongside Lamont) and who has recorded and collaborated with countless artists from Europe and the US.
The project is simple, as implied by the name: regrouping DJs together to form a big band, in the spirit of the live funk and jazz bands. Since its inception the Big Band has taken on various forms settling in the last few years on its biggest and most challenging one yet: 120 fingers (12 DJs), 1 singer (Monique Harcum) and one Saxophonist (Fabrizio Cassol, who also acts as conductor). The DJs are split into four sections (3 DJs each) covering percussions, basslines, keys, guitars, horns, strings and vocal samples. The shows are based around songs created largely through improvisation and then fine tuned and arranged into compositions, covering a range of styles.
Grazzhoppa was able to bring the project to life with the help of a Belgium promoter, and since its beginning they have received help and support from various local and European organisations for funding and shows. The Big Band have played countless festivals, live shows and concerts in settings outside the turntablist and DJ world, spreading their musical vision to new crowds and warm receptions.
Alongside Grazzhoppa the Big Band regroups DJs from Belgium and the Netherlands (including the likes of Lamont, Vindictiv and Optimus from Real Tablist) as well as guest DJs CeeBrown from the US and Raskal from Belgium. The band has recently played a series of gigs with various live musicians and jazz groups.
For the full info and low down on the band’s history, tour info and current status, as well as plenty of audio and video of their many shows, head over to their myspace and own website.
The video is a promo video for the Big Band, showcasing all the performers as well as some short clips from recent live shows. Look out for more from Grazzhoppa solo, in week 7 of the podcasts.
The file is 55mb, .m4v format – best viewed in Quicktime and on iTunes and iPods.

Direct download link (right click and save as)

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