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:
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.
Along a few other musicians, I've contributed a text to an online magazine Perfect Sound Forever on the topic Against being jaded
An interview for a show called The Rest is Music on Cashmere Radio is available here
I was a guest at Andy Moor's Blueprints for a Blackout on Echobox Radio. You can listen to our conversation 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
audio> Kaja Draksler Octet at Donaueschingen Musiktage
video> Kaja Draksler Octet: In Kyoto
video> Czajka & Puchacz: Live at Taktišče
video> Kaja Draksler Octet: Skylark (live)
audio> Kaja Draksler Solo Organ in Hradec Kralove part 1 and part 2
video> matter 100 at Neposlušno: Flood Plain
video> Premiere of matter 100: at the Bimhuis
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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.
| Mar 20 | SOLO, KUD Bistrica ob Sotli | Bistrica ob Sotli 9 3256 Bistrica ob Sotli, Slovenia |
| Apr 23 | Czajka & Puchacz in Basel | Basel Switzerland |
| May 5 | Kaja Draksler Octet at Stadtgarten | Stadtgarten Köln Venloer Str. 40, 50672 Köln, Germany |
| May 6 | SITP with Andy Moor and Frank Rosaly | Association Hall 100 De Wittenstraat 100, 1052 BA Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| May 7 | Kaja Draksler Octet at De Singel | DE SINGEL Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium |
| May 9 | Kaja Draksler Octet at the Bimhuis | BIMHUIS Piet Heinkade 3, 1019 GM Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| May 23 | Solo at Jazz Festival Cerkno | Cerkno 5282 Cerkno, Slovenia |
“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
