The Making of the “Adoration” Album (2023)

Together with double bassist James Oesi, Djuwa recorded an album in four days at the Muziekcentrum voor de Omroep with music from the Romantic period in Europe (including Hungarian dances by Johannes Brahms) as well as music written by Black composers from the U.S., with influences from spirituals, blues and jazz. James and Djuwa will perform this concert program on various stages in 2023-2024: from the Kleine Zaal of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam to the Down the Rabbithole festival.

James and Djuwa met each other in 2022 while participating in the Podcast 24 classics, where they were asked about music that lies close to their heart. For Djuwa, it was Black American composers from the early 20th century and for James it was arranging music for other people. Shortly after, James asked Djuwa to create an album together. Adoration is a mix between Djuwa’s love for Black composers and James’s love for Europeon classical and romantic music that he used to listen to as a kid. The album was published in 2024, as well as a music video for Deep River.