Projects

Winners of the Best Vocalist Award at the 2017 Bucharest International Jazz Competition and finalists of the British Peter Whittingham Award, the German jazz vocalist Miriam Ast and Spanish pianist Victor Gutierrez released their debut album ‚Secret Songs’ on the German label Mons Records in July 2018. Both graduates from the Royal Academy of Music, they present a personal and intimate collection of originals and jazz standard arrangements characterised by heartfelt story-telling, fresh interactions and energetic improvisations. They also feature the legendary British saxophonist Stan Sulzmann on the album as a special guest. Last year's performances included SommerNachtJazz in Mainz, The Lescar Sheffield, 606 Club, Vortex Jazz Club and most prominently a concert at the EFG London Jazz Festival 2018. This year the duo has already presented the album as part of their European Tour in different venues in the UK, Germany and at the German embassy in Prag. Check out the new album here.

Miriam Ast met Klezmers Techter during a master class at the music conservatory in Mainz, Germany in 2013 during her bachelor studies where she discovered her love for Klezmer and Jewish music.

Ever since they have been playing together, performing concerts all over Germany. They were invited to Israel by the famous Klezmer clarinettist Giora Feidman where they performed a concert tour in the summer of 2014  with great success.

In their new programme ‘In a Klezmer’s Mood’ they cross boundaries between traditional Klezmer and folk music and jazz influences and tango.

Miriam background as a jazz performer and affinity to scat singing  adds a unique element to the sound of the group. These four women present their take on Jewish music with a fresh, respectful and modern approach.

The Miriam Ast Quintet is a band formed during Miriam's time as a master student at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Miriam draws on influences from European folk music and her favourite modern poetry, and fuses jazz, folklore and free improvisation together in her original compositions. The quintet’s music is characterised by intense solo parts, collective improvisations and an appetite for interaction within the group.

Especially known for her skilful and virtuoso vocal improvisations and instrumental way of singing, Miriam enjoys a unique musical freedom with her band, resulting in astonishing musical moments.

Featuring some of London´s most promising jazz musicians  including Will Barry on piano, Will Harris on double bass, Corrie Dick on drums and  James Copus on trumpet.