Laura Cortese (The Dance Cards, Bright Light Sessions) is an American songwriter and virtuoso violinist known for her deep roots in traditional music. With a keen ear for sonic gems, groove, and melody, she pushes the boundaries of roots music. Now based in Belgium for several years, Laura has cultivated friendships across the US and Europe, connecting with bluegrass, Cajun, old-time, zydeco, and other roots traditions. For the second year in a row, she is uniting four exceptional songwriters from both sides of the Atlantic for a one-of-a-kind concert experience.
Dirk Powell (Louisiana) learned to play the banjo and fiddle from his grandfather in Kentucky and has been a cornerstone of Louisiana’s thriving Cajun/Creole music scene since his early twenties. A master of the diatonic accordion in the Cajun style, Dirk has toured and recorded with legends such as Joan Baez, Rhiannon Giddens, and Eric Clapton, earning him a place among the most respected names in roots music.
From Scotland, Anna Massie (Blazin’ Fiddles, RANT) brings her extraordinary talent as a guitarist and fiddler. A celebrated folk musician, Anna also hosts BBC Radio Scotland’s award-winning program Traveling Folk. Her captivating voice and skill have earned her numerous folk music accolades, cementing her reputation as one of the finest in her field.
Kaia Kater (banjo, vocals) is a critically acclaimed artist praised by NPR’s Tiny Desk, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and No Depression. Known for her intricate banjo playing and lush songwriting, Kaia draws on influences from Quebec, the Caribbean, and Appalachia—reflecting the rich diversity of her heritage in every note she plays and sings.
Finally, Nic Gareiss (Hot Spoons, etc.) will bring his breathtaking fusion of Irish and Appalachian dance to the stage. Nic redefines the art of dance, incorporating musical percussive elements into his movements. With a unique blend of clogging, flatfooting, step dancing, and improvisation, he creates a style that seamlessly merges tradition with innovation, elevating dance as an integral part of the musical experience.
A concert at Jaana’s
Jaana is Finnish, an illustrator, and has been living in Brussels for 25 years. She comes from a long line of folk musicians, and it seems the tradition is alive and well, as her daughter is also a musician. For Jaana, hosting the Living Room Music Winter Sessions is a wonderful way to bring life to a neighborhood where cultural activities are rarely organized. A word of caution for those with allergies: a cat also shares the apartment.
Living Room Music Winter Sessions
As part of its nomadic season, Muziekpublique presents the Living Room Music Winter Sessions. 19 concerts in apartments across the 19 municipalities of Brussels. 19 homes opening their doors, 19 intimate evenings of live music to experience traditional tunes from all corners of the world, and the sheer joy of sharing the love of music with neighbors, friends, or family.