JazzLab / Artan Buleshkaj & Thomas Decock // Frontier People

De Belgische guitarists Thomas Decock and Artan Buleshkaj found each other in 2024 in their shared love for Americana. The result: the intimate long-player Plain Songs. This album was released in 2024 and warmly received by press and radio. It ended up in the top 10 jazz releases of Knack that same year. The collaboration between Thomas and Artan grew out of spontaneous jams. Their attention soon shifted from jazz standards to folk and country influences, which led to Plain Songs: twelve pure compositions in which Americana harmony and jazzy improvisation met. Now Thomas and Artan form a quintet. Contrabassist Yannick Peeters and drummer Lionel Beuvens bring their versatile, tasteful rhythm tandem, while saxophonist Werend van den Bossche (Dishwasher_) adds a fresh energy with his research into the common ground between jazz and Appalachian folk. The conscious mix of experienced musicians and uninhibited, young talent ensures an exciting cross-pollination. The new repertoire consists entirely of original work. The intimacy of Plain Songs remains palpable, but gets a more powerful sound, with rock influences and a richer production. This creates a band that not only builds on the past, but also seeks its own voice in the present.