ENTERTAINMENT: Jas Kayser will release his debut album, Jas 5ive, in the spring of 2022.

Jas Kayser, the Jazz FM Award-winning drummer, has announced the release of her debut album, Jas 5ive, on Jazz re:freshed.

Nubya Garcia, pianist Ashley Henry, drummer Richard Spaven, trombonist Rosie Turton, and broken beat pioneer Kaidi Tatham are among the many contemporary jazz heavyweights featured in Jazz re:renowned freshed’s 5ive series.

Having returned from completing her undergradate and masters degrees at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, the trajectory of 26-year old, Dorset-raised Kayser has been quietly exponential. Over three short years, Jas has performed in bands led by a who’s who of leading UK talent, from Alfa Mist, Poppy Ajudha, Nubya Garcia and Shabaka Hutchings, to Brit Award and Grammy-nominated singer, Jorja Smith, and has presented her band at Boiler Room Festival for gal-dem as well as Jazz re:freshed’s Showcase at SXSW Festival 2022 in Austin, Texas.

Expanding on the strong West African foundation of her Fela-inspired, 2020 three-track EP, Unforced Rhythm Of Grace, Jas’s 5ive deduces the similarities between afrobeat and jazz, with technical precision and social/cultural framing unique and unlike much to have come before. Its mellow, pop-infused production, and catchy arrangements echo the many hours Jas has spent with the UK’s latest chart-bound talent.

Speaking about the album, Jas says – “Making this record took me on a path of reflection. The goal was to reflect on my life experiences socially and culturally as well as musically. With music, I have been able to travel which has helped me to learn about myself. It’s been an awakening for me. Thinking, what is culture? What is the musical connection? And the importance to feel recognised and accepted for being you.”

Jas Kayser – Jazz FM Music News

Encouraged by mentors (Terri Lyne Carrington, Danilo Perez, Ralph Peterson, Neal Smith) to address social concerns, and explore her dual heritage during time spent in the US, Panama and UK, Jas enlists spoken-word artist and her twin brother Aalvk, and jazz vocalist Ava Joseph on her 5ive, posing questions surrounding migration, tolerance and identity.

Whether it’s drum theory or the social function of art, talking with Jas, you sense how resolute and clear she is in her musical vision, and where her future is focused. Outside of releasing albums and touring, Jas is focused on shifting perceptions around women in jazz, citing underrepresentation amongst other factors as to why there are so few female drummers working in music today.

“I’ve met women my age who used to do drums in school or had the option to play drums at school but never fulfilled that. I think a lot of people have genuinely felt afraid to move forward because it wasn’t seen as a ‘female instrument’. We’re getting there but there’s a lot of work to be done. One day it won’t be strange to see a woman on the drums but until then we have to do our best to bring people up and to inspire the next generation.”

https://web.facebook.com/JazzFMUK/videos/496170141344137/

When is Jas 5ive going to be released?

Jas Kayser’s 5ive will be released on April the 15th 2022 via Jazz re:freshed, with the first single ‘Darkness in the Light’ out now.

Jas 5ive – Personnel list:

Drums – Jas Kayser

Percussion – Joao Caetano

Upright Bass – Daisy George

Electric Guitar – Jamie Leeming

Trumpet – Christos Stylianides

Tenor Saxophone – Mark Hurrell

Alto Saxophone/Co-Producer – Giacomo Smith

Vocals – Ava Joseph

Spoken Word – Ash Kayser A.K.A Aalvk

Jas 5ive Tracklist:

Darkness In The Light feat. Ava Joseph & Giacomo Smith

Dream

Jamie’s Blues

Half-Race Face feat Aalvk

Stupid On The Beat

jas kayser