Tristan Driessens: oud, compositions, arrangements, Gregory Jollivet: hurdy gurdy, Derya Türkan: kemençe, Léa Besancon: cello, Jowan Merckx: flutes, Robbe Kieckens: percussion, Vardan Hovanissian: clarinets, doudouk, Niki Aleksandrov: tapan, Emre Gültekin: saz, Ruben Tenenbaum: violin, Tom Callens: (bass) clarinet, transverse flute, alt saxophone, Vincent Noiret: double bass, Isabelle de Spoelberch: harp, Muhittin Kemal Temel: kanun, Simon Leleux: percussion, Lara Rosseel: double bass.
An admirer of Wannes Van de Velde (the singing poet who wove rebetiko and flamenco into Flemish folk), Tristan Driessens mixes a variety of eastern influences in the world of Western European folk music. Long before the Belgian oud player would be introduced in the secrets of classical Ottoman music, he was widely known as a talented folk dancer. Together with hardanger violinist Wim Baeck, he formed the core of Balacordes, a band which expressed their mutual passion for Swedisch polska, Irish jig and other folk traditions.
In his recent recordings, mainly Tristan’s inspiration from the Turkish masters resonated, whereas with A Folk Dancer’s Journey he returns to his first passion: A French circle dance mixes with a dazzling lezginka from Azerbeidzjan (Caucasian Eagle dance), a mazurka goes over in an irregular rhythmical pattern on the heavenly sounds of the Turkish kemençe (Alethea’s First Song) and tin-whistle tones float on the gnawa grooves of a Jewish Moroccan song (Mandragora’s Jig).
This album presents an almost perfect synthesis of the musical routes Driessens has been exploring over the past years, as it features an impressive cast of musicians with whom he has been collaborating: the Turkish kemençe master Derva Türkan (Lâmekân Ensemble, Blue Silence), French hurdy gurdy virtuoso Gregory Jolivet, Bulgarian tapan player Niki Aleksandrov, Armenian duduk player Vardan Hovanissian, Belgian Woodwind Wizard Tom Callens (Soolmaan), Belgian early music expert Jowan Merckx (AmorromA) and many others.
A Folk Dancer’s Journey paints the picture of a restless nomad who, accompanied by his faithful lute, has reached a crucial stage on his way between East and West. Peter Van Rompaey, Muziekpublique
World Music Charts Europe Top 20
Transglobal World Music Charts Top 40
“Unearthly beautiful music that excels in diversity and expertise.” Rootstime, BE full article
“A great musician and a musical world traveller who delivers a timeless album with ‘A folk dancer’s journey’.” Music Frames, NL full article
“Delicious and well-produced record characterized by a perfect mix of weight, beauty and groove.” Lira, SE full article
“Once again it must be stated that Tristan Driessens excels himself in spreading the importance of (music) culture.” Muziek Mozaïek Folk & Jazz, BE
“While the music surreptitiously encompasses many centuries and numerous local traditions, the listener is immediately at home. A splendour of a bridge.” Klassieke Zaken, NL
“On ‘A Folk Dancer’s Journey’ Tristan Driessens once again fully interweaves the oriental influences with Western European folk music.” New Folk Sounds, NL full article
“A dashing, sometimes swinging journey through West and East using beautiful compositions.” Folkcorner Den Appel, BE full article
