Julie Kjær

Julie kjær's edgy and thoughtful playing and ‘dark, otherworldly imagery’ (Jazzwise) has become increasingly evident around Europe, inhabiting ground between composition and free improv. Experimenting with extended techniques, sound and rhythm she pushes her instruments to their limits.
“…one of the most impressive new voices on the London jazz and improv scene” Stewart Smith, The Wire July ’16.

She tours internationally with Norwegian drummer Paal Nilssen-Love and his Large Unit and she has toured internationally and recorded with Django Bates. One of her main projects is her trio, Julie Kjær 3, with bass player John Edwards and drummer Steve Noble. Their well received debut album was released in 2016 on Clean Feed Records. They have toured both Europe and Japan. A new collaboration is the duo with Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth). In August ’20 they released the live recording “New Life Music” on Cafe Oto's digital label TakuRuko.
In autumn 2017 she was commissioned to compose a piece for the prestigious Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. A co-commission with the Danish Festival G((o))ng Tomorrow. She has also been a featured composer by the British Music Collection.

From 2011 to 2016 she played regularly with London Improvisers Orchestra. She is a leader and side woman of several other English, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish projects. She associates herself with prized performers like Marshall Allen, Thurston Moore, Marilyn Mazur, Dave Douglas, Louis Moholo-Moholo, Laura Toxværd, Jeppe Zeeberg, Dave Liebman, Laura Jurd, ‘Leafcutter’ John, Mira Calix, Sten Sandell og Steve Beresford.

 

Foto by David Laskowski