IRENE REIG & KIKA SPRANGERS
IRENE REIG & KIKA SPRANGERS
ALTO FOR TWO
The debut of Irene Reig’s and Kika Sprangers’ new project ALTO FOR TWO – also the name of the album – is released by BERTHOLD records on the 30th of August 2024. The line up: Irene Reig (alto sax), Kika Sprangers (alto+soprano sax), Xavi Torres (piano), Thomas Pol (bass), Sun-Mi Hong (drums).
The two saxophonists Reig and Sprangers play with a fresh, unique sound, whilst rooted in the jazz tradition. Their openness to new ideas gives an especial vibrancy to the album. Recorded live in concert in the Sendesaal Bremen, the music on ALTO FOR TWO is melodic, sparkling and distinctive.
Reig from Barcelona and Sprangers from Nijmegen met whilst studying in the Netherlands. They played a lot there together and were inspired by each other’s drive, energy, different languages and contrasting musical styles. “It was nice to play originals and to find a blend in the music,” recalls Sprangers. “Then you can add to each other’s musical world. We still play originals from all the players on the album. Musically it was fun and still is.”
The two saxophonists complement each other with their different approaches. “My music is more with a straight ahead bite, even if I’m using modern sounds, moving between a contemporary vibe and more traditional stuff,” explains Reig. “What’s nice about Kika’s style is that she likes to play with long, lyrical melodies and colourful harmonies.”
The track Dia Uh! is a good example of the interchange between the saxophonists. The Catalonian title of the track translates as “day one” and was written by Reig in Barcelona on the first day of the pandemic lockdown. “It was one of the first songs we played together,” says Sprangers. “We played the track live, part in unison, part split and we switched solos here and there with a lot of improvisation.”
KIRS, also written by Reig, represents the close co-operation between the two musicians. The title is made up of their initials and the track has much improvisation with free bars at the start.
The album also features original pieces by other members of the quintet including the track Panorama by the drummer Sun-Mi Hong. “We hadn’t seen it before the recording,” recalls Reig. “We played it live and it went very well because it has a great drive, a strong ongoing rhythm section and crazy notes on top.”
Torres, the pianist, composed QS.28 – Oportunidad. “He wrote a lot of songs during lockdown,” says Sprangers, “and this is number 28, written on the 28th day. He wrote a song a day.”
The saxophonists love working with the other members of the quintet and regard them as “super great”. They bring their own brands of music and variant influences, allowing the band to work imaginatively and effectively together.
The track When snowflakes fall appositely highlights all the various characteristics and appropriately, as Sprangers who composed the piece describes, “was inspired by the fall of snowflakes all of which have a different texture. It seems like an infinity of structures but then at certain moments the structures repeat themselves, and I ask the philosophical question – is there infinity in life or not?”
In spite of the range, variety and inventiveness of the pieces on ALTO FOR TWO, the music is very much rooted in the work of jazz legends. Reig and Sprangers both quote John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Charlie Parker and Duke Ellington, amongst many others, as hugely influential for their own playing and compositions. It is a great complement to all members of the quintet that listeners can hear these influences throughout the album, whilst being able to enjoy its distinct creativity and freshness.
Ian Bild, June 2024.
