Miss French

Born: February 13, 1958

Of European decent, Julie Foai (aka Miss French), was born in New Zealand to a musical family who fortunately decided to quit the rat race and move to Laingholm, a place with beaches, bush and lots of space in the Waitakere ranges. Here she would immerse herself in the magical world of native New Zealand bush, a world of day dreams and adventures. 

Her father, a jazz enthusiast, was not only a player of many instruments including trumpet and double bass, but he built instruments. Performing with the family at 10 years of age and later in Auckland bands, influenced by Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Billy Holiday and Joan Armatrading, she began writing songs from her own unique perspective. 

Kasper Rietkerk

Born: February 25, 1995

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.

Mohammad Basereh

Born: August 20, 1996

Mohammad Basereh | Composer, psychologist

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Mohammad Basereh (born August 20, 1996, in Ilam, Iran) is an Iranian composer, music producer, sound engineer, sound designer, and psychologist. He holds an advanced degree in Psychology and has a history of publishing scientific articles in this field. He began his professional music career in 2011, completing specialized courses with renowned professors such as Fereydoon Shahbazyan (composition), Mohammad Reza Azadehfar (art and music therapy), and Nader Mashayekhi (film soundtrack). As a composer and producer of fusion music, he uses interactive technologies in his creative works. His compositions include soundtracks for films and theater productions that have been featured in national and international festivals. In his research and artistic works, he has integrated the scientific principles of psychology with the art of music.

Enrico Solazzo

Born: May 8, 1965

Live & Studio: Alex Britti, Franco Califano, Max Pezzali, Renato Carosone, Riccardo Cocciante, Stefano Di Battista, Amedeo Minghi, Fabrizio Moro, Nicky Nicolai, Fontella Bass, Il Rovescio della Medaglia, Fabrizio Bosso, Tollak Ollensted, Daniele Luppi, Vinnie Colaiuta, Michael Thompson, Humberto Gatica, Dario & Giorgio Rosciglione, Lele Melotti, Baptiste Herbin, Dynomite MC, Gumbi Ortiz, Tony Esposito, Roberto Gatto, Ernesto Vitolo, Danilo Rea, Kadir Gonzalez Lopez, Gegè Munari, Lo Van Gorp, John Pena, Rocco Zifarelli, Ronnye Jones, Deitra Farr, Fontella Bass, Aleandro Baldi, Ramona Badescu, Jessica Brando, Elsa Lila, Dario Bandiera, Simone Patrizi, Neffa.

Janno Trump

Born: November 10, 1990

Janno Trump is one of the most esteemed bass players of the younger generation in Estonia. He is primarily active as a jazz musician, but has also performed and recorded with a wide variety of pop and rock artists. Janno has written music for both smaller jazz ensembles and big bands. He has been the artistic director of several major music projects and is the leader of the groups JT Conception and Janno Trump Clarity Ensemble. Born into a family of musicians, Janno has been involved in music and playing instruments for as long as he can remember. He graduated from the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and has later complemented his studies at the Amsterdam Conservatory

Jim Snidero: Strings

by Jack Bowers
November 14, 2021

Another saxophonist with strings. Ever since Charlie Parker first took the plunge in 1950, a goodly number of disciples has followed suit. Alto player Jim Snidero's deep dive, Strings, was actually recorded two decades ago, in 2001, and released to widespread acclaim on Milestone Records. The remastered edition, on Savant Records, is even better, thanks to ...

Jim Snidero: Strings

by Dan McClenaghan
August 26, 2021

The initial recording of Jim Snidero's Strings ran into a roadblock. The session was scheduled at System Two Studios in Brooklyn, New York, on September 11th 2001. That was the date the world changed, with airplanes flying into buildings in New York City. Strings was postponed. The music eventually came together in October and ...