This shared playlist is compiled by communication staff of EJN members with music recommendations from the upcoming or recent programmes presented at their venues and festivals. A short description is added to explain the reason for each choice, and at the bottom of the page you can find the full Spotify playlist that you can save and share. A “feel-good” vibe is a common thread between the songs, to start with some new energy and optimism this 2022!
Tampere Jazz Happening, Finland
Linda Fredriksson - Juniper
Linda Fredriksson's debut solo album Juniper is nominated for Emma Awards (Finnish Grammy') in two categories, jazz album of the year and critics' choice. Furthermore, the biggest music publication in Finland, Soundi, named Juniper the album of the year.
Bozcaada Jazz Festival, Turkey
Alp Ersönmez - Hafif Batı Müziği
Alp Ersönmez describes his ''Cereyanlı'' project as jazz-scented dance. Cereyanlı is inspired by the music that was presented in the early 2000s by masters such as Bugge Wesseltoft and Erik Truffaz (and, yes! Moreover, they are playing in the album). In Hafif Batı Müziği combined electronics and acoustic live performances, the cool funk guitars accompanying Erik Truffaz's solo, energetic rhythms with ethnic elements, and Alp's bass guitar come together, listening becomes an experience.
San Sebastian Jazz Festival, Spain
Johan Sebastian Jazz - Pequeño preludio alla bossa nova in Do mayor, BWV 934
Iñaki Salvador is an indispensable name in the recent decades of music in the Basque Country and undoubtedly one of the most important international representatives of our Jazz.
International Saalfelden Jazz Festival, Austria
Alba Careta - Corrandes D’Exili
The young trumpeter Alba Careta from Spain is a very special new discovery for us: almost unknown in the international jazz scene, she is as an independent and strong voice of Spanish jazz. To be seen at this year's edition of the 42nd Jazz Festival Saalfelden.
WOMEX / Piranha Arts, Germany
Echoes of Zoo - Monkey Burns Lab
Originally from Belgium, the band played at WOMEX 21 in Porto and had the crowd swaying. They play crazy, hypnotic, psychedelic jazz stirred with western, oriental and African influences with a dash of punk attitude. Definitely worth checking out…
Handelsbeurs Concert Hall, Belgium
Nabou - Will We Remember You
Trombonist Nabou Claerhout is conquering the jazz world with her warm sound and surprising compositions. After a successful residency at the Handelsbeurs, she is also taking part in the European project Melting Pot. Be sure to listen to her debut album You Know.
Göteborg Artist Center, Sweden
William Soovik Grand Finale - Hej Kom å Hjälp Mig
William Soovik Grand Finale is the creation of the Gothenburg-based drummer and composer William Soovik. The band started in mid 2017 and 2021 they released their third album. WSGF also represents Sweden at the annual the Nordic Jazz Comets events, this year in Copenhagen.
Improvised Music Company, Ireland
The Kevin Brady Electric Quartet - Suicide Squeeze
Ireland’s choice is the latest studio album by acclaimed drummer Kevin Brady with his Electric Quartet. Plan B was released worldwide in October ’21 on Ubuntu Music. Iconic Jazz Magazine, DOWNBEAT awarded Plan B a 4.5 Star Album Review. Brady’s infectious grooves dominate and the music is hypnotically insistent with great turns by saxophonist Seamus Blake and pianist Bill Carrothers. Said The Irish Times, “Brady’s fourth release as a leader is an engrossing conversation between a rhythm section at the top of their game and two inventive, inquisitive, melodically generous soloists who respond to the open setting with timeless, joyous music that will further burnish the reputations of all concerned”. Track 8, Suicide Squeeze encapsulates this vibrance and positivity.
jazzahead!, Germany
Malika Tirolien - Change Your Life
The title is very pop but also challengingly optimistic - just what we need right now! And Malika Tirolien will play one half at this year's jazzahead! Gala Concert on 29 April.
Périscope, France
Tatanka - Les loups
Tatanka trio is trumpeter Emmanuelle Legros's trio along with drummer Corentin Quemener and Guillaume Lavergne on keyboards and piano. Out of this three-piece band comes out a energic and orchestral atmosphere, to be seen as a tribute to nature and our environment. Very powerful spirit to warm our hearts! Quite an iconic band at the moment from the Lyon scene, that will release a new album in March 2022.
nusica.org, Italy
XY Quartet - Pax Vobiscum
One of the most representative groups among nusica.org’s productions - XYQuartet - composed by Alessandro Fedrigo. A song that carries within itself a desire for transformation and unpredictability. Clear sounds, creative intertwining, balanced collective constructions and luminous atmospheres creates a harmonious and thoughtful "Chaos".
Turner Sims Southampton, UK
Mark Lockheart - Dreamers
Legendary British saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart, a founding member of Loose Tubes and Polar Bear, releases his new album Dreamers this month on Edition Records and comes to Turner Sims in February. It’s stylistically free and psychedelic in nature, reflecting Mark’s desire to constantly explore new directions in his own music - perfect as we all explore our own new directions in 2022!
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, UK
corto.alto - Not for Now
EJBF's choice is the title track from 'Not for Now' - the debut album from Scottish ensemble corto.alto, led by Glasgow trombonist, producer and composer, Liam Shortall. Released in November 2021, the mini album follows an acclaimed series of DIY self-releases and videos, released over the course of a year from May 2019.
Serious / EFG London Jazz Festival, UK
Bill Frisell - Baba Drame
Bill Frisell's latest Blue Note release 'Valentine' is hailed "a masterpiece" by Downbeat. He comes to London to mark the release of his biography with a solo show & book signing on 13 March presenting the lifelong journey of melodies and improvisations spanning his career.
Jazzfest Berlin / Berliner Festspiele, Germany
Koma Saxo - Koma Kaprifol
Berlin’s Scandinavian project Koma Saxo is the sound of surprise for jazz in 2021, viewing each performance as an opportunity to explore new terrain. The project from visionary Swedish and Berlin-based bassist & producer Petter Eldh, with Christian Lillinger on drums and the frontline of three saxophones: Otis Sandsjö, Jonas Kullhammar and Mikko Innanen was a highlight at the Jazzfest Berlin 2021. They recently released a new album featuring the singer Sofia Jernberg.
--- Check out and save the full playlist on Spotify here:
Tampere Jazz Happening, Finland
Linda Fredriksson - Juniper
Linda Fredriksson's debut solo album Juniper is nominated for Emma Awards (Finnish Grammy') in two categories, jazz album of the year and critics' choice. Furthermore, the biggest music publication in Finland, Soundi, named Juniper the album of the year.
Bozcaada Jazz Festival, Turkey
Alp Ersönmez - Hafif Batı Müziği
Alp Ersönmez describes his ''Cereyanlı'' project as jazz-scented dance. Cereyanlı is inspired by the music that was presented in the early 2000s by masters such as Bugge Wesseltoft and Erik Truffaz (and, yes! Moreover, they are playing in the album). In Hafif Batı Müziği combined electronics and acoustic live performances, the cool funk guitars accompanying Erik Truffaz's solo, energetic rhythms with ethnic elements, and Alp's bass guitar come together, listening becomes an experience.
San Sebastian Jazz Festival, Spain
Johan Sebastian Jazz - Pequeño preludio alla bossa nova in Do mayor, BWV 934
Iñaki Salvador is an indispensable name in the recent decades of music in the Basque Country and undoubtedly one of the most important international representatives of our Jazz.
International Saalfelden Jazz Festival, Austria
Alba Careta - Corrandes D’Exili
The young trumpeter Alba Careta from Spain is a very special new discovery for us: almost unknown in the international jazz scene, she is as an independent and strong voice of Spanish jazz. To be seen at this year's edition of the 42nd Jazz Festival Saalfelden.
WOMEX / Piranha Arts, Germany
Echoes of Zoo - Monkey Burns Lab
Originally from Belgium, the band played at WOMEX 21 in Porto and had the crowd swaying. They play crazy, hypnotic, psychedelic jazz stirred with western, oriental and African influences with a dash of punk attitude. Definitely worth checking out…
Handelsbeurs Concert Hall, Belgium
Nabou - Will We Remember You
Trombonist Nabou Claerhout is conquering the jazz world with her warm sound and surprising compositions. After a successful residency at the Handelsbeurs, she is also taking part in the European project Melting Pot. Be sure to listen to her debut album You Know.
Göteborg Artist Center, Sweden
William Soovik Grand Finale - Hej Kom å Hjälp Mig
William Soovik Grand Finale is the creation of the Gothenburg-based drummer and composer William Soovik. The band started in mid 2017 and 2021 they released their third album. WSGF also represents Sweden at the annual the Nordic Jazz Comets events, this year in Copenhagen.
Improvised Music Company, Ireland
The Kevin Brady Electric Quartet - Suicide Squeeze
Ireland’s choice is the latest studio album by acclaimed drummer Kevin Brady with his Electric Quartet. Plan B was released worldwide in October ’21 on Ubuntu Music. Iconic Jazz Magazine, DOWNBEAT awarded Plan B a 4.5 Star Album Review. Brady’s infectious grooves dominate and the music is hypnotically insistent with great turns by saxophonist Seamus Blake and pianist Bill Carrothers. Said The Irish Times, “Brady’s fourth release as a leader is an engrossing conversation between a rhythm section at the top of their game and two inventive, inquisitive, melodically generous soloists who respond to the open setting with timeless, joyous music that will further burnish the reputations of all concerned”. Track 8, Suicide Squeeze encapsulates this vibrance and positivity.
jazzahead!, Germany
Malika Tirolien - Change Your Life
The title is very pop but also challengingly optimistic - just what we need right now! And Malika Tirolien will play one half at this year's jazzahead! Gala Concert on 29 April.
Périscope, France
Tatanka - Les loups
Tatanka trio is trumpeter Emmanuelle Legros's trio along with drummer Corentin Quemener and Guillaume Lavergne on keyboards and piano. Out of this three-piece band comes out a energic and orchestral atmosphere, to be seen as a tribute to nature and our environment. Very powerful spirit to warm our hearts! Quite an iconic band at the moment from the Lyon scene, that will release a new album in March 2022.
nusica.org, Italy
XY Quartet - Pax Vobiscum
One of the most representative groups among nusica.org’s productions - XYQuartet - composed by Alessandro Fedrigo. A song that carries within itself a desire for transformation and unpredictability. Clear sounds, creative intertwining, balanced collective constructions and luminous atmospheres creates a harmonious and thoughtful "Chaos".
Turner Sims Southampton, UK
Mark Lockheart - Dreamers
Legendary British saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart, a founding member of Loose Tubes and Polar Bear, releases his new album Dreamers this month on Edition Records and comes to Turner Sims in February. It’s stylistically free and psychedelic in nature, reflecting Mark’s desire to constantly explore new directions in his own music - perfect as we all explore our own new directions in 2022!
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, UK
corto.alto - Not for Now
EJBF's choice is the title track from 'Not for Now' - the debut album from Scottish ensemble corto.alto, led by Glasgow trombonist, producer and composer, Liam Shortall. Released in November 2021, the mini album follows an acclaimed series of DIY self-releases and videos, released over the course of a year from May 2019.
Serious / EFG London Jazz Festival, UK
Bill Frisell - Baba Drame
Bill Frisell's latest Blue Note release 'Valentine' is hailed "a masterpiece" by Downbeat. He comes to London to mark the release of his biography with a solo show & book signing on 13 March presenting the lifelong journey of melodies and improvisations spanning his career.
Jazzfest Berlin / Berliner Festspiele, Germany
Koma Saxo - Koma Kaprifol
Berlin’s Scandinavian project Koma Saxo is the sound of surprise for jazz in 2021, viewing each performance as an opportunity to explore new terrain. The project from visionary Swedish and Berlin-based bassist & producer Petter Eldh, with Christian Lillinger on drums and the frontline of three saxophones: Otis Sandsjö, Jonas Kullhammar and Mikko Innanen was a highlight at the Jazzfest Berlin 2021. They recently released a new album featuring the singer Sofia Jernberg.
--- Check out and save the full playlist on Spotify here:
