The diversity of the program and a wide variety of musicians is, for sure, one of the components of a good festival, and Jazzkaar is not an exception here. On the last day of the festival, the audience in Tallinn was invited for a ‘cocktail’, which was served by the Project Pennar, and included a mix of jazz, soul, hip-hop and drum ‘n’ bass.
Project Pennar is a new band created by Karl Madis Pennar, an award-winning guitarist from Estonia. He secured first place in the 2021 Big Band Composition Contest for Young Baltic and Nordic Composers and was the recipient of the Tiit Paulus Young Guitarist Award in 2020. Drawing inspiration from his everyday life and experiences living abroad, Pennar, alongside his new band, presented his fresh album titled ‘Journeys Abroad’. This album is rooted in soul, hip-hop, and jazz, while also incorporating influences from techno, drum ‘n’ bass, and house music.
Especially for this concert, the band shared the stage with a special guest – New York-based trumpeter James Copus, known for his performances alongside famous musicians such as Jacob Collier, Jorja Smith, James Bay, and others.
As expected, Fotografiska Tallinn was packed with people. Several Jazzkaar artists mentioned in their interviews last year that Estonian audiences have a keen interest in various music genres and are eager to attend concerts, even if they’re not familiar with the artist. It’s always a joy to see the concert hall filled with people of different ages and interests, all driven by curiosity and a willingness to discover something new. Undoubtedly, artists can feel this energy and are inspired to give their best performance, reciprocating the enthusiasm of their audience.
The band kicked off the concert with Pennar’s ‘Trees Are Red’. It was evident from the start how delighted the musicians were to play together. Despite having only a few concerts together prior to this one, they delivered a great performance. A special mention must be made of the band leader, Karl Madis Pennar. He absolutely nailed it! He was fully immersed in the music, expressing his emotions not only visually but also through his masterful playing on the electric guitar.
After the first track, Pennar jokingly remarked that the music seemed to be too loud, apologizing for it, but emphasizing that the show must go on. The band continued with a piece called ‘KastaNarnia’, a composition inspired by Pennar’s life in Hamburg, particularly his experience in his tiny apartment surrounded by nightclubs, yet having a corner of tranquility with a beautiful panorama of trees. Towards the end of the composition, the sounds reminiscent of singing birds could be heard, adding a touch of natural beauty to the piece. It was a truly beautiful composition.
The band also performed ‘Pure Heart’ and ‘Hard Work Pays Off’, composition that appeared to be dedicated to Pennar’s family, as well as his commitment to his studies and music. Another notable piece, ‘Outlooker’, stood out from the rest. Pennar explained that he aimed to incorporate elements of drum ‘n’ bass into this composition. Without a doubt, he succeeded remarkably well!
Despite drawing inspiration from various genres of music, all the pieces from Pennar’s new album exuded a positive vibe. Whether infused with soul, hip-hop, or drum ‘n’ bass, each composition brought joy to the stage and was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.
The concert concluded with a piece dedicated to Pennar’s partner. He expressed gratitude for the presence of family members and friends who came to support him, emphasizing its importance. For the audience, it was crucial to have a setlist of captivating pieces, a lively and joyful atmosphere, exceptional performances from the band, and friendly interaction with the band leader. With great pleasure, it can be said that Project Pennar met all these criteria admirably.
Project Pennar feat. James Copus
28th of April 2024, 6 pm at Fotografiska Tallinn
The band:
James Copus – trumpet, flugelhorn
Jason Hunter – trumpet
Karl Madis Pennar – electric guitar
Karl-Juhan Laanesaar – drums
Kristers Laurins – saxophone, flute
Mathei Florea – keyboards
Robert Rebane – bass
Photo: Urmo Männi
See the concert’s photo gallery.