Yes, they still exist: great artists who can take a basic melody and simple lyrics to write a song that goes straight to the heart. The 25-year-old British singer James Morrison and the Norwegian singer Maria Mena, who is two years younger, belong to that select group. Both artists come from musical families. Both started writing songs at a young age. And both have already stormed the charts with major hits in their young careers: James Morrison with «You Give Me Something» and Maria Mena with «All This Time». Both artists have influenced a new breed of singer/songwriter. The co-occurrence of these two stars in Basel created the unique opportunity to get an intimate taste of this fascinating and intense art of song.

Zeno van Essel