Borneo Jazz 2011 – Eight Performing Groups – No. 2/8 – State of Monc

By Anthony Tan - anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

The State Of Monc, with their unique, innovative sound and striking position within the band collective, the Dutch Nu-Jazz Movement, will certainly put the Netherlands firmly on the map of the future of jazz.

This seven-strong member band from Amsterdam and Rotterdam was formed in 2000 by trumpet player Arthur Flink and electronics soundsmith/beat-maker Hielke Praagman.

Its other members are Robin Koerts on bass, Ben van den Dungen, who plays the tenor sax, Milan Bonger on alto sax, Tuur Moens on drums and Johan Hendrikse fingering the keyboard.

This group fuses slick electronic sound with pure jazz on acoustic instruments for the perfect balance between electronic beats and sounds.

Its brass instrumentation, acoustic bass and drums open up new directions and appeal to fans of jazz, dance and experimental music.

Since State Of Monc’s formation, its members have been working very hard to establish a strong profile. They have had performances sold out in top clubs and rocked major music festivals.

The band not only took their vision to fuse together complex, impassioned jazz with adventurous, dance-rooted electronics “nu-jazz” at the Amsterdam dance event and North Sea Jazz Festival but has also performed in most prestigious clubs such as Paradiso, Melkweg and 013.

In 2006, their first album “Hand To Mouth” released by EDM/City Groovez was launched.

Their impressive debut was followed by Clippertron and Clippertron Extended in 2008. Both albums were released by Challenge Records and produced jointly with Michel Schoots, formerly of Urban Dance Squad.

In 2010, they did a live CD/DVD Phantom Speaker on Sound Camp Records with half of the tracks on the CD unreleased before. It was a combined effort with Michel Schoots again.

Having performed in Germany, Morocco and Ukraine, the group is now coming to Malaysia for the Borneo Jazz festival to build up their international audience.

Let their dynamic and amazing music enthrall you. With their cutting edge pumping dance and complex breakbeats, this Dutch band spins a unique sound that ushers in a new era,

As children of the dance age trained in traditional jazz, State of Monc has seen their music reformed over the years.

Get a taste of their music with just a few clicks below. While you warm up for the coming Borneo Jazz, don’t forget to make your reservation early & See you there!







If you like their music catch the STATE of MONC "Live" on Saturday May 14, 2011 at 9.30 - 10.30pm at Borneo Jazz in Miri, Sarawak.