The list of astonishing women saxophonists is getting bigger, and to that list there’s one more name you should add: Julie Kjær. Originally from Denmark, but living in the United Kingdom and active on the London scene, this new star on the rise brings trouble, in a good, very good way, to every place she goes.

Kjær has played with Django Bates in the band StoRMChaser, she is a member of Paal Nilssen-Love’s Large Unit and the London Improvisers Orchestra, at the same time leading or co-leading projects with Danish and British musicians like Pierette Ensemble and Musson/Kjær/Marshall, and associating herself with prized performers like Hannah Marshall, Alison Blunt, John Russel, Veryan Weston and Steve Beresford.

Now, she debuts a record with two veterans in the fields of open form jazz and free improvisation, John Edwards and Steve Noble. And what a record it is! The trio experiments with the confluences between composition and spontaneity, and between classical elements, the kind of drive you only find in jazz, and extended techniques coming from the most extreme exploratory music. Sound and rhythm are her main focus, pushing the envelope in any circumstances and often surprising even those who are used to new ideas and approaches. The music here is either wild or subtle, intense or minimalistic, but always precious. You don’t want to miss it.

All compositions by Julie Kjær (KODA) except track 4 by Julie Kjær (KODA)/John Edwards (PRS)/Steve Noble (PRS)

Recorded at Vortex Jazz Club by Alex Ward on 13th January 2015 | Mixed and mastered by Alex Ward
Produced by Julie Kjær | Executive production by Pedro Costa for Trem Azul | Design by Travassos

Thanks to Sound and Music