Natalia Prass

The American Francophile, Natalia M. King, is an artist of great integrity, one who carries the heritage of black music in her soul, its rhythmical groove as well as its strong sense of identity and passionate commitment. After a recording pause, King has decided to break her silence. She returns with an album of blazing new tracks, most of which are self-composed.

The ripple effects of the war in Ukraine are extending human suffering far beyond its borders, exacerbating a global crisis unseen in at least a generation. Morten Jessen began composing KYIV shortly after war began, inspired by the courage and strength of Kyiv’s defenders. While he was composing his piece, he corespondent with the Ukrainian priest Viktor Marynchak who held services in the darkness of the Kharkiv subway during Rus- sias’ six-month siege of the city.

“Jazz blossoms with deep roots” is how the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper summarised a concert appearance of Natalia Mateo. The title of her second album "De Profundis", Latin for "out of the depths", sets the tone: subtle, knowing songs mark out paths that are Mateo's and hers alone. Thoughtful, original compositions and highly personal interpretations of covers reflect her story set against a backdrop of East and West, a life punctuated by changes of surroundings, by departures which lead to fresh beginnings.