Amsterdam saxophonist Susanne Alt begins the new year with the premiere of "Dark Horse" - her seventh studio album. Interestingly, the recordings were made during the same inspiring sessions in New York that led to the release of her previous album "Royalty For Real". It is therefore "Dark Horse" a kind of complement to an interesting New York session recorded by Susanne Alt and an elite band of American musicians. The saxophonist's quartet was formed by: keyboardist James Hurt, whose work includes jazz, mainstream and hip-hop and electronic projects, bassist Gerald Cannon - a long-time member of Elvin Jones' band and former music director of McCoy Tyner's formation and drummer Willie Jones III - appreciated for concerts and recording performances with Milt Jackson, Arturo Sandoval and Roy Hargrove.
"Dark Horse" was created at Eastside Sound Studio when Susanne Alt arrived in New York with more material than planned for one album. While "Royal For Real" marked a return to acoustic jazz and paid tribute to the trumpet icon, Roy Hargrove, the new album headed towards discovery, capturing music that emerged naturally. The result is a coherent picture of the saxophonist's artistry: melodic, rhythmic and captivating. The heart of the "Dark Horse" album is the concept from which the album took its name: it is an unannounced, unexpected force that transforms the landscape and rewards perseverance. Susanne Alt embodies this spirit here, suggesting that openness and determination not only overcome uncertainty, but transform it into momentum, creativity, and meaning. The sound of "Dark Horse" is warm and direct, presenting the band up close, with intact raw edges. The sound of the saxophone draws from soul, funky, Latin music and boop, while the New York rhythm section maintains a flexible and dynamic pulse, allowing Susanne Alt's musical ideas to stretch, return and rekindle. "Jazz Biotic" is funky - the album's opening track, leaning towards the fusion of "Altitudes of Freedom" and Charlie Parker's raw, thrilling "Au Privave", "Maple Jam" is a nod to Larry Willis, "Cannonballin'" and "Jonesin'" pay tribute to bassist Gerald Cannon and drummer Willie Jones III, and the energetic "Kalunga Dance" reflects the musicians' energy during the recording.
on 29/01/2026