Elbphilharmonie Sessions: Hamilton de Holanda & Nduduzo Makhathini

Catchy tunes, amazing virtuoso improvisations, good spirits and a very special vibe together: Brazilian mandolin legend Hamilton de Holanda and the South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini are a perfect duo. The pleasure they have playing together is infectious, and their vibe fills any room. »Routes of Discovery« is the title of their first joint project, which combines compositions by the two musicians with the culture of the Global South. An »Elbphilharmonie Session« in a soloist's dressing room with a very special atmosphere – personal and emotional, the very finest jazz.

Hamilton de Holanda is probably Brazil's best-known mandolin player. No-one else improvises so daringly and creatively on the bandolim, as the instrument is known in Portuguese. His melodies speak directly to the emotions and stay with you long after you've heard them. Holanda has made a name for himself in jazz far beyond the boundaries of his home country. »He is the embodiment of everything you could want from a musician,« says no lesser figure than the legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. And it was Marsalis who introduced him to the outstanding jazz pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini. Known as much for his technical virtuosity as for his witty and flexible musicality, the South African pianist works together with many of the music world's big names, and is the first improvisation artist in his country to be signed by the classic American jazz label Blue Note.

Hamilton de Holanda
Um Bocado de Alegria e Paz

Nduduzo Makhathini
Uxolo

Other participants:

Sönke Strohkark Recording

Christoph Kähler Mixing

Nils Kohstall / Maik Lüdemann / David Lössl Camera & Edit

Julian Conrad / Julika von Werder Production management

In their joint project »Routes of Discovery«, the two artists celebrate the music of the Global South, focusing on pressing subjects of our time such as the exploitation of People of Color over the centuries and the hope for a better present and future.

Although they obviously have their roots in two different traditions, South African and Brazilian, they discover a lot of common ground in their music. Hamilton de Holanda sees an important opportunity here to look for closeness in a time that is difficult all over the world: »The two of us live in different yet similar countries, and that unites us. Our music originated with the same ancestors. The history of our people is marked by suffering and the will to overcome. Our project embraces the hope for peace and for living together in a creative community.«

In addition to the many dressing rooms in the backstage area of the Grand Hall, the Recital Hall on the 10th floor also has wonderful soloists' dressing rooms to offer – with a view of the River Elbe and superb sunsets. Leading artists spend the last few minutes before their appearance here every evening.

Artists record exclusive music videos at the Elbphilharmonie and the Laeiszhalle for Elbphilharmonie Sessions – sometimes in unusual locations offstage. Discover the concert halls from the inside. Discover what they sound like.