abacaxi | quetzal @ jazzwise

enowned as a festival that embraces jazz and electronic progressives, PUNKT's 20th jubilee gave its founders, Erik Honoré and Jan Bang, the clear purpose of acknowledging the PUNKT 'family'. Many who've been integral to the festival's ethos were here including musicians Nils Petter Molvær and Arve Henriksen, sound engineer Sven Persson, administrator Tonje Bjørheim and gracious festival host, Fiona Talkington.

As Artist in Residence Molvær played in several combinations, often perched on a high stool his back in an arc with trumpet pointed down, the tone never shrill or gruff as if the brass was lined with plush velvet. He seemed locked in a private conversation with his instrument, asking pressing questions about the meaning of it all; life, the universe and everything in between. This introspection was most potent in his duo with Alva Noto a.k.a. Carsten Nicolai.

An electronic artist of rigorous talent whose detailed audio passion and collaborative friendship with Ryuichi Sakamoto (they co-produced The Revenant soundtrack) was discussed in one of the seminars curated by David Toop; a freethinking element of the PUNKT programme. Here, with Molvær, he ushered the festival in with majesty. His sound was enormous yet elegant, drawing curtains of imperceptible stars from ceiling to floor with bell-like tinkles and sweet synth notes, and could summon a bass vibration that ran through the auditorium as if all that was solid had become smoke.

A piano trio led by Eyolf Dale and the art-noise band Abacaxi, may seem oppositional but their impact was identical; energising and life-affirming. Julien Desprez lobbed guitar strums and shot out rhythmic pellets like firecrackers, all the while tap dancing on an orchestra of effects pedals. Jean-François Riffaud pointed the neck of his electric bass at Desprez as if to lock horns with him, his basslines flashing fast whilst drummer Francesco Pastacaldi ran through an abandoned tunnel of punk rock; smashing the snare or clashing with drum rims. Abacaxi were fire starters with an infectious zest underpinned by incredible technique; they made sudden stops an art form.