Sonic Choir of Love feat. Ben van Gelder

Sam Vano presents his guitar-driven indie-folk in which closeness and nuance are central. Sonic Choir of Love, the orchestra around Danish bassist Samuel Kiel, places singing centrally as a starting point for compositions that combine DIY dream jazz, groove and chant-like structures, performed by young musicians from the European jazz scene. Ben van Gelder completes the evening with his lyrical alto saxophone playing in which improvisation and composition converge, rooted in the jazz tradition and nourished by influences from other genres and visual art, with room for abstraction without losing the melodic and emotional character.

Sam Vano crafts indie folk music that revolves around intimacy and nuance. His guitar-driven songs are layered but never overburdened, exuding a calm, introspective atmosphere. On “Selfhelpingmehelpmyself,” he opts for a spare, honest sound dominated by subtle melodies, soft synth pads, and natural spaciousness. The influence of artists like Elliott Smith, Big Thief, and MJ Lenderman is palpable, but Vano’s voice and songwriting give the music a distinctly unique character. The result is an album that unfolds slowly and invites attentive listening, whispering rather than shouting.

Sonic Choir of Love isn’t a choir, but an orchestra led by Danish bassist Samuel Kiel. The name refers to singing as a way of being in music, not just as sound. Singing is central to Kiel’s compositions, audible on emotional tracks like “Time” from the recent self-titled album. The music combines DIY dream jazz with groove and an almost chant-like quality, resulting in a recognizable and intimate sound. The band consists of young, promising musicians who are carving out their niche in the European jazz scene.

‍Ben van Gelder is an internationally renowned alto saxophonist with a distinctive sound and a strong lyrical signature. His music is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, yet expressly open to influences from other genres and disciplines. Improvisation and composition blend seamlessly in a personal, narrative style.

The people at Cinetol have kindly offered a limited amount of free tickets for Subbacultcha members. Please make a reservation by sending an email to mailinglist@subbacultcha.nl with ‘Sonic Choir of Love feat. Ben van Gelder’ in the subject line + your name in the email.

Registrations are open until 12.00 PM on weekdays.