On May 9th the experimental and electroacoustic music series Zenaari presents the central figure of the Norwegian avant-garde jazz scene, artist, researcher, and composer Stan Westerhus, at BASSIANI. A classically trained jazz musician decided to sculpt his unique sound and narrative on the free, improvisational flow of guitar and its various effects. His ever-changing, unpredictable, diverse and spontaneous live performances are instilled with otherworldly mystique, where the guitar fills the auditorium with unheard soundscapes, textures, melodies, and energy. The extraordinary manner of Stian Westerhus left a remarkable signature on the sounds of prominent avant-garde jazz bands Jaga Jazzist and Puma. At the same time, the artist continued collaborations with artists such as Nils Petter Molvær, Arve Henriksen and Sidsel Endresen, as well as with numerous symphonic and jazz orchestras in the quest to widen his sonic palette. Stian’s collaborations with visual artists were exhibited in significant modern art galleries. Studio work through the Grammofon and House of Mythology labels was awarded no less than the Norwegian Grammy itself.

Tbilisi-based musician, vocalist, composer, and writer Aine Merme, also known as Natuka Natsvlishvili, graces the Zennari stage with a landmark performance. Her work is distinguished by an unconventional approach to composition creation. While the artist often adheres to the classical song structure, she fearlessly explores the boundaries of harmony, infusing it with multi-layered, intense melodies and subtly nuanced phrases. Aine Merme, or Natuka Natsvlishvili, extends the possibilities of instruments, assigning them non-traditional roles, and primarily focuses on performing and composing music for the guitar.