Natashia Kelly

Singer Natashia Kelly was the laureate of JazzLab Impuls with "Dear Darkening Ground. For this new project, Kelly surrounds herself with top Belgian jazz artists and works with a special concept: the place of man in nature. 

She drew inspiration for this from poets such as R.M. Rilke and W.B. Yeats, who wrote more than a century ago about the place of man in nature. Words that now prove prophetic. Kelly's lyrics, too, warn of the danger that a limp relationship between man and nature can pose, but they also seek to sound a hopeful note: Things can be different.

In a turbulent time, the music tells a message full of poetry. Ruben Machtelinckx is one of our most fascinating guitarists and is on the cusp between improvisation and contemporary experimentation. Pianist Nicola Andrioli played alongside Philip Catherine, among others, and is a master of lyricism. Bassist Yannick Peeters impressed with her international dream project GingerBlackGinger and Dré Pallemaerts is simply an indispensable link in Belgian music tout court. 

The musicians are anchored in jazz, but also let pop and folk seep in. They play with panache and refinement, in tune with the voice and lyrics, which form a perfect blend with the music. 'Dear Darkening Ground' remains both open and accessible, seeking hope and going straight to the heart.