I was born in a small village in Slovenia and grew up in the countryside. My father was a train driver, my mother 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:
Working on a new solo repertoire, inspired by early jazz piano styles such as ragtime and stride. Premiering at Cerkno Jazz Festival on May 23rd.
Release tour of Bare, Unfolding is coming up May 5-9. See our teaser here.
Bare, Unfolding by Kaja Draksler Octet is out, available here. A video of one of the tracks was created by the incredible Aleksandra Ołdak.
Another video by Aleksandra Ołdak for Czajka & Puchacz's Transcendentalny is accompaning the duo's release of their second album Flapping, now available here.
I am honoured to be part of a compilation album called GAZA, a charity release for Ghassan Abu Sittah Children's Fund. Please support if you can.
~ If you would like to receive my newsletter, send an email entitled "Newsletter" to kaja@kajadraksler.com. Thank you!
RECENT VIDEO & AUDIO:
video> Czajka & Puchacz at Mózg Festiwal
video> Czajka & Puchacz: Transcendentalny
video> Kaja Draksler Octet: In Kyoto
video> Kaja Draksler Octet: Skylark (live)
audio/interview> Andy Moor's Blueprints for a Blackout on Echobox Radio here
audio> Kaja Draksler Solo Organ in Hradec Kralove part 1 and part 2
video> Premiere of matter 100: at the Bimhuis
| May 23 | Solo at Jazz Festival Cerkno | Cerkno 5282 Cerkno, Slovenia |
| Jun 4 | With Jure Pukl's Analog AI | Stadtgarten |
| Jul 10, 21:30 | @ Copenhagen Jazz Festival with Lotte Anker, Ivar Myrset Asheim and Andreas Røysum | Koncertkirken Blågårds Pl. 6A, 2200 København, Denmark |
| Jul 11, 17:00 | @ Copenhagen Jazz Festival with Lotte Anker | 5e Slagtehusgade 5E, 1715 København, Denmark |
| Jul 11, 21:00 | @ Copenhagen Jazz Festival with Ivar Myrset Asheim and Andreas Røysum | Råhuset Onkel Dannys Pl. 7, 1711 København, Denmark |
| Jul 12 | Sunday Sessions | Koncertkirken Blågårds Pl. 6A, 2200 København, Denmark |
| Jul 16 | Solo at Sowieso | Sowieso Weisestraße 24, 12049 Berlin, Germany |
| Aug 29 | Solo at Now Music Festival | Siena 53100 Siena, Province of Siena, Italy |
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Nov 16 to: Nov 19 |
In Stavanger for Blaa:Traa | Stavanger Jazzforum Sandvigå 27, 4007 Stavanger, Norway |
“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
