Dez Mona

Drawing its moniker from the spouse of Othello in one of Shakespeare's tragedies, the Belgian collective Dez Mona fuses jazz, gospel, classical, and French chansons into a distinctive style that evokes the atmospheres created by Nina Simone, Antony & the Johnsons, and Tom Waits. Vocalist Gregory Frateur and bassist Nicolas Rombouts established the group in 2003, capturing their debut album Pursued Sinners inside a church two years later, then expanded the lineup with pianist Bram Weijters and drummer Steven Cassiers ahead of the 2007 follow-up Moments of Dejection or Despondency. Talk Talk bassist Paul Webb joined as producer for the third studio release Hilfe Kommt in 2009. Saga appeared in 2011, with the band's fifth album A Gentleman's Agreement emerging the following year.