Luxembourg jazz quartet to perform concert

Jazz group the Michel Meis 4tet from Luxembourg has never performed in or for America before, but the latter will change come Dec. 31.

The group will perform an online concert through the Luxembourg American Cultural Society at 11 a.m.

Meis, a drummer and composer, is the band’s leader. The group has performed across Europe, including at events in France, Hungary, Denmark, Romania, Luxembourg and Ukraine, and is looking forward to making its U.S. debut.

“It would of course be even better if I could travel to the U.S. and play a ‘real’ concert there. But I’m very happy that the LACS is getting creative, actively looking for alternative opportunities and making this event happen. I’m really looking forward to it,” he said in an email interview.

Like many bands, the Michel Meis 4tet had most of its recent concerts postponed or canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It recorded one virtual concert set to air next year and Meis said he played a couple of virtual shows with other bands.

The group, despite its members living in different countries, was able to record its new album as planned.

“And there was also a silver lining — the lockdown gave me the time to concentrate on composing new music,” Meis said.

The band’s sound is described on its website as “a sonic vocabulary that skillfully blends a traditional instrumentation with the fresh approach and the broad musical background of open-minded and fearless musicians.

They effortlessly move from one extreme to the other. Unleashed rhythms culminate in lyrical melodies. Classical jazz elements steer towards lush electronic effects. Free improvisation ends up almost seamlessly in sophisticated, detailed compositions.”

“To me,” Meis said about his music, “being torn between different options doesn’t mean being undecided, but rather passionately breaking down apparent barriers or bringing opposites in a dialogue.”
Meis was trained as a classic percussionist and later received formal jazz training.

“A drummer friend of mine introduced me to jazz in my late teen years and I immediately loved its limitless possibilities. You can try almost anything, mix a lot of things. Each one of my musicians can play what he or she wants and take the lead,” he said.

“For me, jazz is the basis of all the music. David Guetta wouldn’t exist without jazz nor would the Beatles. And I love the atmosphere in jazz clubs where you can play up close for a certain number of people. You can see immediately how the music is received there.”

For the virtual concert, most of the group’s songs will come from its latest album slated to be released next year.

For more information on the band, visit www.michelmeis.com/4tet.

The concert will be shown on www.lacs.lu and on the LACS’s YouTube channel.

While there is no charge to view the show, as a benefit event for the LACS nonprofit organization, freewill donations are accepted.  Donations can be made online at www.lacs.lu or mailed to the Luxembourg American Cultural Society, P.O. Box 157, Belgium, WI 53004.  

Viewers are encouraged to create a relaxing brunch setting as they watch the concert. The LACS will be introducing several Luxembourgish brunch recipes on its website and social media accounts that people can prepare ahead of time at home.