Mimika Orchestra

Mimika Orchestra is an avant-garde concept jazz-world ensemble formed in London (UK) and currently based in Zagreb (Croatia). It was formed by the Croatian multi-instrumentalist and composer Mak Murtić in 2010. Murtić´s original compositions for the ensemble are strongly influenced by the Balkan folk traditions, using their specific modalities and rhythms in a contemporary jazz expression. Through music and stage appearance alike, every project explores a different theme. The pieces are conceptually and stylistically bound by a narrative highlighted by costumes and performance. So far, Murtić has introduced the audiences with a utopian society on Mars, a prehistoric migration from Africa into the world and a pagan Slavic funeral ceremony. Mimika takes pride in being one of the rare ensembles in the jazz world which takes a strong stance on issues such as social justice, human collaboration and unity. They strive to make these values apparent in the musical language and the staged show alike, creating an atmosphere of an ancient tribal gathering and connection. Mimika is currently performing their new album, Altur Mur, yet to be released on the orchestra’s label Rika Muzika and the previous album Divinities of the Earth and the Waters. Both albums connect in a specific set of contemporary views of local Balkan myths and traditions in an immersive staged show evoking lost and hidden worlds.

Discography:
Altur Mur (Menart Label, Zagreb / Rika Muzika, London, 2022) - performed by Mimika, composed by Mak Murtić
Divinities of the Earth and Waters (PDV Records, Zagreb, 2018) - performed by Mimika, composed by Mak Murtić A Place Glowing a Brilliant Red (World Music Records, London, 2015) - performed by Mimika, composed by Mak Murtic
Antarctica and Other Destinations (World Music Records, London, 2015) - performed by the Croatian Radio Television Jazz Orchestra feat. Maja Rivic & Anabela Baric, composed by Mak Murtic.
From Scratch to Structure (World Music Records, London, 2012) - performed by Mimika, composed by Mak Murtić
 

Awards

Mimika played at the London Jazz Festivals 2012/14/15, Love Supreme Jazz Festival 2014 (Winners of the Jazz FM Discovery Competition), Latitude Festival, Olympic & Paralympic Festivals, and renowned London venues such as The Vortex Jazz Club, Bussey Building/CLF Art Cafe, Foyles, Union Chapel, and Courtyard Theatre. Mimika orchestra also held a two year residency at the Spice of Life jazz club in central London. Mimika has performed in all the major venues in Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia including multiple performances in Vintage Industrial Bar, Kino Šiška Ljubljana (with the renown New Wave artist Darko Rundek as guest), Museum Of Contemporary Arts Zagreb (with the renown Sevdah musician Damir Imamović), club Vinyl, Velvet Festival, Crossover Festival, club KSET, Kino Tuškanac, Kaštel Frankopan, Jazz is Back Festival Grožnjan, Pallach Rijeka (international migrants’ day), LAstovo Otok Glazbe festival, Festival Slobodne Glazbe, Bale Open Jazz Festival, Kino Slavica Dubrovnik, Lazareti Dubrovnik, Kontesa Zagreb, VIP club Zagreb and has collaborated on projects in Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania, the US and internationally. Mimika’s compositions have been performed as part of the One Beat and One Beat Balkans project where Murtić is one of the facilitators and organisers alongside US’s Bang on a Can / Found Sound Nation. They have also been featured on BBC radio, Jazz FM, Soho Radio, Worldwide FM and other major radio stations across Europe. In 2020, Mimika was chosen to represent Rijeka, the European Capital of Culture where they performed in two separate programmes (on the island Krk and Rijeka) and made music for a short film Inkorničata. In 2020 Mimika also presented Croatia in the Art’s Birthday programme for the European Broadcasting Union where the concert was streamed on national radio stations throughout EU and other European countries.

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