Ein Ereignis als Startschuss: Das Festival startet am Donnerstag mit „The Science Fair“, einem Sextett um den Israeli Oded Ben-Horin. Der Band-name ist in Deutsch eine “Forschungs-ausstellung”. Beschreiben lässt sich die Musik am bestens als musikalisches und wissenschaftliches Hörbuch. Ben-Horin ist zwar Sänger, allerdings auch ein begnadeter Geschichten-Erzähler. Und so singt er nicht nur, sondern spricht und rezitiert Texte aus allen Bereichen des modernen Lebens. Begleitet wird den in Norwegen lebende Bandleader von fünf Schweizer Musikern, die sich beim Vertonen der Texte bei vielen Musikstilen bedienen: Bei der Lounge-Musik, beim Pop oder beim Blues –ein völlig eigenwilliges, spannendes Projekt also.

A special event as a starting shot: The Festival started Thursday with „The Science Fair“, a sextet fronted by Israeli Oded Ben-Horin...the music can best be described as a musical and scientific audio-book. Ben-Horin is a singer as well as a talented story-teller. He doesn’t only sing, but also speaks and recites texts inspired by all aspects of the modern life. The singer, who lives in Norway, was accompanied by five Swiss musicians who supported the texts with a variety of musical interpretations, including lounge music, pop and Blues – an extremely original and interesting project!
Gaeu Anzeiger, about „Liasions“ Jazz festival, Olten, Switzerland, November, 2008.

Six young musicians of diverse origin have come together in Switzerland to create this uncommon group. The Science Fair claims to sing of science, technology, machines, etc. This in itself is original enough. But these themes, which can appear cold and abstract, are in this case not lacking lyricism; neither do those expressing them. What counts is what one hears, and in this case the listening is worth your while. The singer possesses a silky, warm baritone voice, Sinatra-style, vibrant and troubled. He chisels out the words with sensuality and perfect diction. His rare scat is clear, flowing, full of grace. He tells interesting stories in the half-spoken, half-sung swing style of black American tradition. His singing is guaranteed to give you shivers down your spine; he could very well become the new Sinatra. Listen to Mr. Blue Genes, a blues tune in humorous dialogue between singer and computer, accompanied by the guitarist, giving a taste of his qualities. The musicians are perfect, conversing musically with discernment and feeling. The lyrics and arrangements are by the singer; the music, for the most part, by Mark Murphy. (This is) a disc of definite charm. One needs only to let oneself be taken away by it, and that is easy to do.

Six jeunes musiciens d´origines différentes se sont trouvés en Suisse pour créer ce groupe qui sort du commun, The Science Fair (Le salon, ou la foire, de la science), qui revendique de chanter la science, la technologie, la machine, etc. Voilà qui est pour le moins original. Mais ces domaines qui peuvent paraître froids et abstraits ne manque souvent pas de lyrisme, ni ceux qui les pratiquent. Et puis les intentions en musique… Ce qui compte c´est ce qu´on entend, et ici ça vaut le coup d´oreille. Le chanteur possède une voix de baryton, genre Sinatra, chaude, soyeuse, vibrante et troublante. Il cisèle les mots avec volupté et une diction parfaite. Son scat, rare, est limpide, fluide, tout de douceur. Il raconte des histoires intéressantes dans un parlé-chanté-swingué issu de la tradition noire américaine. Quand il chante c´est le frisson garanti ; il pourrait certainement être le nouveau Sinatra. Ecouter «Mr Blue Genes », un blues qui est un dialogue humoristique avec un ordinateur, accompagné par le guitariste, pour goûter à ses qualités. Les musiciens sont parfaits, intervenant avec à propos et feeling. Les paroles et les arrangements sont l´oeuvre du chanteur, les musique étant de Mark Murphy pour la plupart. Un disque au charme certain, il suffit de s´y laisser prendre, et c´est facile.
Serge Baudot, JazzHot 10/2007 (France)

Halfway between contemporary minimal opera, cabaret-cum-jazz and projects blending the musical into audio-book formats, this work takes every possible perspective for fusing narrative and musical elements into a coherent whole. Featuring a strong inclination towards and thorough mastery of the articulatory, occasionally moving in a slightly out-of-synch, slanted rhythmic angle over the pulse and weaving a futuristic fable (which truly constitutes one of the sharpest, wittiest denounces about the current state of things), the voice takes precedence as meaning causes attention to perceive the musical as background which, nevertheless, comes to the fore when alone (masterfully swimming in modern jazz, experimental or pop waters). The multi-stylistic aesthetics embodied in various guises -bossa, funk, blues, scat, ballad, R&B, pop-country-and-rock-more-authentic-than-the-real-thing or, even, (acoustic) techno is conscientiously explored until they have the audience rolling in the aisles.
Modisti, April, 2007

„As a composition, The Science Fair is very creative – from the narrative content, to the musical composition, the arrangements, use of electronics, staging, and lighting. In addition, every aspect of performance was masterfully performed. Each song, each arrangement, the transitions between songs were seamlessly crafted, executed, and moving.”
Proffesor Mark Dresser, bassist, USA

“…exciting…”
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Switzerland, 8/2003

“Oded Ben-Horin is one of the most brilliant young persons I have ever met and worked with…his command of words is top level. Keep up the great work!”
Mark Murphy, Jazz singer, USA

„…very relevant and interesting to follow.“
Morten Steffensen (Bergen Museum) and Jo Høyer (Institute for Marine Research), Mar-Eco Public Outreach Group.

“…considering the development of jazz as a music form, ”The Science Fair” may (therefore) take part in strengthening text-based jazz, with regard to composition as well as performance. An “updating” of text material for jazz compositions is interesting, and focus on text can lend other dimensions with regard to the listener. Creating a new vocal-based ensemble in our region, with a new point of view regarding texts, will also be a strength for the jazz scene in general…”

“...med tanke på utviklinga av jazz som musikkform, kan prosjektet ”The Science Fair” derfor vera med på å styrka tekstbasert jazz, både når det gjeld komposisjon og framføring. Ei ”oppdatering” av tekstmateriale for jazzkomposisjonar er interessant, samtidig som fokus på tekst kan gi andre dimensjonar i forhold til lyttaren.
Oppretting av eit vokalbasert ensemble i vår region, med ein ny innfallsvinkel til tekst, vil også vera ein styrke for jazzmiljøet totalt...”
Jon Skjerdal, NattJazz Festival Director, Norway

„…Das Besondere an "Science Fair" sind die "wissenschaftlichen" Motive der Texte. Da geht es um die "globale Erwärmung", (online) "Beziehungen" oder gleich die ganze "Evolution". Themen, die man nicht unbedingt mit Jazz in Verbindung bringt. Die Fragen, ob das alles ironisch oder ernst gemeint ist und um was es eigentlich hier geht, bleiben bis zum Schluss offen. Ein grosses Plus sind die Instrumental-Parts…Sehr speziell!“

„…The special thing about „Science Fair“ is its „scientific“ text motives. Themes include “global warming”, (online) “relationships” or “evolution”, which are themes one doesn’t necessarily associate with jazz. The question of whether this is ironic or serious remains open to the very end. The instrumental passages are a big plus…Very special!”
Gino Ferlin, Jazz’n’More * * * * (of 5)