The RIVER
The RIVER is a band led by singer-songwriter Lily Kiara, in which she brings together three of her great loves: new folk songs, improvisation and poetry. The band started in 2006 with four members during a performance at the Amsterdam Literary Festival and expanded to seven members in the following years. Ten years ago, they released their first CD, The SWIM SESSIONS, recorded during a live concert at the Bimhuis. In 2024, they played at the last edition of the Summer Jazz Bike Tour in Maarhuizen.
The RIVER shares songs about human rights, nature, and wonder, poems about wanderings and love, all combined with adventurous music, flowing and creating in the moment. The RIVER is about change and transition, how one piece flows into another: sometimes suddenly, sometimes gradually, sometimes someone breaks in, sometimes everyone flows together.
‘The River is special. It combines musical styles that blend together and yet don't really blend, but rather coexist in such harmony that it feels as if they do blend. (...) The jazz musicians adapt to Lily Kiara's accessible folk-like songs in an admirably chameleon-like way, without ever sounding flat or obligatory.’ – Peter Bruyn in medium.com (frnkfrt)
The RIVER:
Michael Moore (clarinets),
Michael Vatcher (drums, percussion),
Felicity Provan (cornet, vocals),
Joost Buis (lap steel guitar, trombone),
Julyen Hamilton (poetry),
Paul Pallesen (el. guitar),
Lily Kiara (guitar, vocals)
Youtube- poem and song:
