County Jazz Project News UK

County Jazz Project News UK: Musson / Kjaer / Marshall Trio

The UK jazz scene thrives on bold experimentation and fearless collaboration, and nowhere is this more evident than in the work of the Musson / Kjaer / Marshall Trio. Bringing together the vibrant tones of tenor and alto saxophones with the rich resonance of the cello, this trio has carved out a unique space in the world of improvised music—a space that is as intimate as it is dynamic.

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The trio, featuring accomplished musicians Rachel Musson (tenor sax), Julie Kjaer (alto sax), and Hannah Marshall (cello), first joined forces in London around 2012. Their debut performance saw them sharing a bill with the equally adventurous Trio Riot, and from that moment, their creative chemistry was unmistakable. What began as a London gig soon blossomed into a series of memorable concerts and festival appearances.

Over the years, Musson / Kjaer / Marshall have brought their adventurous sound to celebrated venues and festivals across the UK and Europe. Their appearances include standout performances at Jazz NorthEast, the Lume Festival at Iklectik Art Lab, a tour of Norway, and highly regarded festivals such as Blow Out and All Ears in Oslo and the ActionJazz festival in Copenhagen. Alongside these high-profile gigs, the trio has also performed numerous smaller shows across the UK, consistently captivating audiences and critics alike.

What sets this trio apart is the sheer depth of communication in their music. Their live shows are described as “a single diaphanous improvisation of heart stopping intensity and quietude that brings the entire room into a tip-toed state of heightened awareness,” according to Daniel Spicer for The Wire. Reviews often highlight the group’s uncanny synergy. M. Holland from Ears4Eyes called their set “a dynamic union of artists, breathing and thinking as one,” while J. Hauknes of Salt Peanuts praised their music as “how good free chamber jazz should be—intimate, dynamic, and driven by a mutual responsiveness bordering to telepathy.”

For those interested in the cutting edge of British and European jazz, the Musson / Kjaer / Marshall Trio offers a masterclass in collective improvisation and artistic fearlessness. Learn more about their journey and upcoming news at https://www.hannahmarshall.net/musson-kjaer-marshall.