My wife pointed me to a video on YouTube — a performance of Toto’s “Africa”, by a Slovenian jazz choir called Perpetuum Jazzile.
I hadn’t heard of them before, and it’s likely that you didn’t either. You probably also didn’t know they’ve been performing for 25 years. Originally founded in 1983 by Marko Tiran, they are now headed by artistic director Tomaž Kozlevčar (I have no idea how to pronounce that name), and they perform jazz and pop selections, mostly a capella.
So far, the group has released three CDs: When You Come to Bled (2000), Forget You’re In A Hurry (2003), and Strange Night (2006). This year, they’re working on a new album, due to be released in the autumn. Unfortunately their music isn’t on iTunes or Amazon yet (don’t know why), so you have to use their website to buy a CD.
The video blew me away. It’s so nicely done, and the way they simulate the falling rain with their hands is so cool. It made me want to find out more about them, and to listen to more of their music. I’ll leave you with more videos and photos from their performances.
“Mas Que Nada” by Perpetuum Jazzile
“Strange Night” by Perpetuum Jazzile
There’s more info on their English-version website, and they even have a free MP3 available for download. Their CDs are available through their online shop. According to their posted concert schedule, they’re giving a couple of public performances this September in Slovenia. Definitely worth checking out.
Raoul Pop 