Kika Sprangers Quintet Albumrelease

Meandering, churning fiercely, flowing gently: saxophonist Kika Sprangers’ new album, Rivers follows the movements and bends of a river. Kika grew up by a river, which helped shape her identity throughout her childhood, making this album her most personal work to date. On Rivers, Kika and her band explore that connection between humanity and nature, a feeling that shimmers throughout the entire album.

Listening to Kika’s music is like looking at a Rothko painting: hidden within her musical swathes of colour are undercurrents that unconsciously sweep the audience along. With her melodious and dark saxophone sound, Sprangers is a leading voice on the Dutch jazz scene. That status was underlined in 2025 when she won an Edison Jazz National Award for the album (In)finity.

The Rivers concert series celebrates the release of the album of the same name, which the band recorded at Wisseloord Studios with producer Mete Erker and sound engineer Ted Masseurs. Together with her bandmates Anna Serierse, Koen Schalkwijk, William Barrett and Wouter Kühne, she creates a soundscape that transports, overwhelms and moves you. Anna Serierse’s mostly wordless vocals blend seamlessly with Kika’s saxophone sound. The band has a strong collective sound that envelops the listener. Live, the music comes to life through adventurous ensemble playing and improvisation.

Rivers is poetic jazz with a message. Music that leaves room for unexpected twists and turns and is always in motion. Just like the flow of a river.

Photo © Nick Helderman