The Island Kasper Rietkerk, KRSIX

• 1 Baiji 04:10
• 2 Intro To Roll It In Glitter 01:16
• 3 Roll It In Glitter ft. Anatole Muster 07:02
• 4 Belly Flop 07:43
• 5 Until The End 05:54
• 6 Dark Side 05:59
• 7 Ship Of Fools ft. Emma Rawicz 07:09
• 8 Happened In Eridge ft. Cubby Howard 06:56
• Total Runtime 46:09

Info for The Island

Award-winning London-based saxophone player and composer Kasper Rietkerk worked with John Carrol Kirby, Eddie Chacon and Jean Toussaint among others. His work is rooted in a jazz tradition, but also influenced by rock, hip hop and pop music.

‘The Island’ is his first full length album released under his own name. The album is about the experiences he had during his first two years in the UK. It is about the beauty of living abroad and personal development. But also reflects the dark side in a time of war in Europe and an uncertain future. It will be launched with a big live show at Pizza Express Soho London on 24 June.

On this album his sextet KRSIX welcomes Emma Rawicz (Ship of Fools), Anatole Muster (Roll it in Glitter) and Immy Churchill. Kasper also arranged all seven songs for string quartet which gives the album a unique sound.

Kasper Rietkerk, alto saxophone and flute (track 7)
Max McLeish, trombone
Alex Lockheart, guitar
Benji Bown, piano
Toby Yapp, double bass
Jonah Evans, drums
Ezo Sarici, 1st violin
Emily Harrison, 2nd violin
Charlie Howells, viola
Cubby Howard, cello
Immy Churchill, vocals (tracks 3, 4, 7 & 8)
Anatole Muster, accordion (track 3)
Emma Rawicz, tenor saxophone (track 7)

Kasper Rietkerk
Award-winning saxophonist Kasper Rietkerk, renowned for his collaborations with esteemed artists such as Eddie Chacon, John Caroll Kirby and Jean Toussaint, has also been a member of the Emma Rawicz Jazz Orchestra. His diverse career includes appearances on various TV and radio programs, as well as contributing to the music composition for VPRO’s television series ‘Naar Bed’. In 2023, Kasper and his London-based sextet, KRSIX, recorded a full-length album set to be released on Zennez Records and launched at Pizza Express Soho on June 24, 2024. This album features original compositions by Kasper, arranged for his sextet along with a string quartet, and includes guest appearances by Emma Rawicz, Anatole Muster, and Immy Churchill.

Kasper began playing saxophone at a young age and was inspired by the sounds of saxophonists like Cannonball Adderley, Kenny Garrett, and Paul Desmond. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Kasper moved to London and graduated from his master’s at the Royal Academy of Music in 2023, where he received an award for his final exam performance.

With his Dutch group Das Sound Kollektiv, Kasper released two albums and an EP, most notably gaining success with their ‘+1’ release, which featured collaborations with various singers and rappers, including Ntjam Rosie, Ruben Hein, Rico, and Tennishu (Butcher Brown). Kasper is currently working on the release and tour of his debut album as a bandleader, having previously released his home-recorded and self-produced EP ‘alt.esc’ in February 2022

He is involved in other projects such as the Medan Trio, where he writes and performs improvised music accompanied by visual art. From 2019 till 2021, he played lead alto in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra from the Netherlands, which was led by Ruben Hein.

KRSIX
an instrumental sextet led by saxophonist Kasper Rietkerk, has been making waves in the London music scene since their debut in the spring of 2021. Their dynamic music is performed with great energy and expression, drawing comparisons to a mix between Brian Blade’s Fellowship and Radiohead. The band recently recorded a full-length album with a string quartet, featuring guest appearances from Anatole Muster, Emma Rawicz, and Immy Churchill. The album is set to be released on Zennez records with a launch at Pizza Express Soho in London on June 24th, 2024.

While rooted in jazz, KRSIX’s music is heavily influenced by rock, folk, and blues music. All the music is written and arranged by Kasper, who draws inspiration from his observations and experiences after moving to London. Kasper performs alongside Max McLeish (trombone), Alex Lockheart (guitar), Benji Bown (piano), Jonah Evans (drums), and Toby Yapp (double bass).

This album contains no booklet.