I was born in a small village in Slovenia and grew up in the countryside. My father was a train driver, my mother is an accountant. I have a younger brother who became an engineer.
At the age of 18 I moved to The Netherlands for music, the idea won over my plans to study Latin and old Greek. A few years later, I was immersed into the rich world of Amsterdam’s improvised music scene, which complemented my studies of classical composition in a great way. After 13 years in Holland, I moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, stayed there for 5 years, and recently moved back to Trboje, my home village.
Welcome to my website.
for bio and cv please scroll down
News:
Czajka & Puchacz was featured on Kamizdat compilation album Access Frame: Authority on the occasion of Netlabel Day. The audio release is digital and it includes an offset printed zine with liner notes by Nina Dragičević.
My freshly composed piece "BA" was commissioned performed by Orchestra Jazz de Matosinhos on June 15th on Jazz na Real Vinícola in Porto, Portugal
Here is a video of the premiere of matter 100 at the Bimhuis!
I was nominated for German Jazz Prize, category Piano/International.
The second album of my duo with the brilliant Portuguese trumpeter Susana Santos Silva is out on Intakt Records and is called GROW.
...
On Innovation and the Future of Music (and art), a collection of interviews is out digitally and in printed, 200 copies limited edition. The zine features drawings by Szymon Gąsiorek and is designed by Maga Ćwieluch.
.
RECENT VIDEOS:
Premiere of matter 100: at the Bimhuis
matter 100 in rehearsal: True/False
Kaja Draksler Solo: Zagreb Biennale
Anja Zag Golob, Irena Z. Tomažin, Kaja Draksler: Rojišče #73
Draksler/Bach/Masecki: Goldberg Variations
Kaja Draksler Octet: In Time, music on the words of Matsuo Basho
.
If you would like to receive my newsletter, send an email entitled "Newsletter" to kaja@kajadraksler.com. Thank you!
Oct 5 | Czajka & Puchacz at BMC | Budapest Music Center Budapest, Mátyás u. 8, 1093 Hungary |
Oct 6 | Czajka & Puchacz; A Step Across the Border | Club Porgy & Bess Riemergasse 11, 1010 Wien, Austria |
Oct 7 | Czajka & Puchacz at Kampus Hybernska | Kampus Hybernska Hybernská 998/4, Nové Město, 110 00 Praha-Praha 1, Czechia |
Oct 8 to: Oct 13 |
Solo Organ Residency at Jazz Goes to Town | Hradec Kralove Czechia |
Nov 11 | With OFFS at Plaist Festival | Loft Wißmannstraße 30, 50823 Köln, Germany |
Nov 13 | With OFFS at Plaist Festival | Loft Wißmannstraße 30, 50823 Köln, Germany |
Nov 29 | matter 100 at Unerhoert Festival | Zürich Switzerland |
“Draksler is one of the most potent musical minds of our time.“
Quietus
“The young Slovenian pianist Kaja Draksler shows off a wealth of sturdy ideas and nonchalant technique on this stunning solo recording.”
Downbeat
“/.../ the young Slovenian pianist Kaja Draksler pulls together information from a century of experimental music and jazz. She also makes rhythm a priority, and reminds you subtly that she knows what she’s doing. /.../ It’s hard, or maybe impossible, to predict where she’s going to take you. That’s not so common from a young musician.”
New York Times
“Draksler brings austerity, subtlety and poignancy with her fluid piano playing and rings through in bright, rich textures.”
Irish Times