Composition project North Sea Jazz
The music of Kika Sprangers (1993) is a refined blend of jazz and classical influences. The saxophonist and composer combines the lyrical quality of her instrument with a fascination for the human voice, which plays an important role in her work. Distinctive riffs, melodic lines, rhythmic variation and strong tension arcs characterize her compositions. Sprangers graduated cum laude from the Utrechts Conservatorium in 2016. Since then, she has established herself as a firm presence on the Dutch music scene.
This year, three parties submitted nominees: last year’s composition project composer, Tijn Wybenga; VNJJ (the association of Dutch jazz venues and jazz festivals), and North Sea Jazz itself. All three nominated Kika Sprangers, who was thus the unanimous choice. The jury justified its choice as follows: “From her first CD in 2017, it’s not only been her excellent saxophone playing that has stood out, but also the way she integrates vocalists into her ensembles. The voices engage in a constant dialogue with her soprano and alto saxophone, functioning as fully-fledged instruments within the group. This gives her work a unique timbre and emotional depth.”
Composer and conductor Tijn Wybenga, who was awarded the composition commission last year, adds: “Kika Sprangers has really conjured a new sound from our Dutch scene with her lyrical playing. Melodically compelling, harmonically exciting and, in terms of sound spectrum, rubbing shoulders with both contemporary classical and indiepop. She creates mature narrative compositions that are so utterly ‘Kika’ that you never forget them. Just like her sound on soprano sax, which blends so beautifully with vocals or strings – wonderful! Besides, I just love her attitude: kind, enterprising, big thinking, humble, inquisitive and above all super supportive inside the Dutch jazz scene.”
Kika Sprangers has created an ambitious composition for the North Sea Jazz Composition Project with the working title The Way Wild Rivers Flow. In it, she combines a women’s choir with a jazz rhythm section, supplemented by saxophone and trumpet. She builds on her previous experience with choral compositions and puts the emotional power of the voice at its heart. Sprangers strives to balance artistic freedom with structure, writing music for specific musicians and drawing inspiration from greats like Avishai Cohen and Maria Schneider. The result is a cohesive whole that offers room for both improvisation and personal expression. When performing this composition, Sprangers works with Nederlands Kamerkoor, consisting of 12 vocalists, as well as an ensemble with Alistair Payne (trimpet), Reinier Baas (guitar), Tijs Klaassen (double bass), Jonas Burgwinkel (drums) and herself on saxophone.
The concert is on Saturday in Madeira
The North Sea Jazz composition commission is realized in collaboration with the VNJJ (association of Dutch jazz venues & festivals) and is co-sponsored by the Dutch Performing Arts Fund.
