Kirke Karja

Ferdinando Romano: The Legends Of Otranto

Read "The Legends Of Otranto" reviewed by Neil Duggan

by Neil Duggan
April 14, 2025

The Legends of Otranto is a suite in six movements inspired by the stories and legends surrounding Otranto, an ancient city in the Salento area of Italy, which is sometimes referred to as the heel of Italy's boot. All compositions were written and arranged by Florentine bassist Ferdinando Romano. The music is provided by an unusual cross-cultural quartet, bringing together Finnish accordionist Veli Kujala, Estonian pianist Kirke Karja and an Italian rhythm section consisting of Romano on double ...

Album Review

Kirke Karja / Étienne Renard / Ludwig Wandinger: Caught In My Own Trap

Read "Caught In My Own Trap" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
April 19, 2024

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt developed a style he termed tintinnabulation, because of its resemblance to pealing bells. While pianist Kirke Karja doesn't use the same technique as her esteemed countryman, the sustained resonances of her playing on “Caught In My Own Trap “often suggests trouble in the belfry. That is certainly the case on “Take My Tender Heart," the first number on the wonderful album by the cosmopolitan trio of Karja, French bassist Étienne Renard and German drummer Ludwig Wandinger. ...

Festivals Talking

Jazzkaar Interviews: Kirke Karja

by Martin Longley
April 21, 2023

Estonian pianist Kirke Karja has regularly appeared at the Jazzkaar festival in Tallinn, customarily performing in surprising settings, always delivering a fresh band combination, or a new set of music, or altering ratios between improvisation and composition, acoustic or electric palettes. During the last two years she has a.) been discovered by the rest of the European jazz circuit and b.) formed a touring trio with a stable line-up. This band also features the French bassist Etienne Renard and the ...

Album Review

Kirke Karja Quartet: Turbulence

Read "Turbulence" reviewed by Tyran Grillo

by Tyran Grillo
March 17, 2018

Despite the title of Turbulence, Estonian pianist/composer Kirke Karja and her eponymous quartet carry this vessel of an album through the smoothest of takeoffs and landings. Riding the jet stream of largely original material, it takes full advantage of its wingspan to cross borders. The title track is a compression of the album's entire trajectory. Opening with a trembling arco bass and Karja's near-plaintive arpeggios, it seems to evoke a wintry starting point with the brushstrokes of a ...

Festival

Jazzahead! 2027 Focus Areas Include Pacific Region And The Baltics

Source: Jan Paersch
September 30, 2026

For up-and-coming jazz acts, jazzahead!’s showcase programme is among the most effective launch pads anywhere in the world. Applications for the 2027 showcases – short concerts of 30 to 45 minutes – will be open until September 30, with entries to be made via jazzahead.de/showcases. Starting on 22 April 2027, the 38 international showcases and the approximately 120 Clubnight concerts will once again bring thousands of visitors, as well as international music industry professionals, including record labels, management and booking ...
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