Five questions for Femke Mooren
Alto saxophonist Femke Mooren (Rotterdam, b. 2003) is one of the Dutch artists performing at the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival in July. She has been invited to collaborate with three young Scottish musicians: Ali Watson (bass), Simon Herberholz (tenor saxophone) and Greg Irons (drums). We asked her five questions.
What are you taking with you to Edinburgh?
‘Above all, a great deal of curiosity! This is the first time I’ve taken part in a collaboration within a band put together from outside, and I think it’s a really cool concept. We’ll only meet for the first time in July and will then try to create something beautiful together. By researching the other musicians beforehand and listening to their work, I was able to choose pieces that suit the ensemble well.’
You’ve been touring this year, following the release of your debut album Mora. Is it awkward or, on the contrary, enjoyable to be working with completely different musicians now?
‘I really enjoy it! When you play with a band so much, you get very used to certain characteristics in someone’s playing, so I’m really looking forward to experiencing a new dynamic and communicating in a different way through the music.’
Does British jazz play a role in your development?
‘I’ve played one concert in London; I had the great honour of joining a band at Ronnie Scott’s. When I think of the English jazz scene, I think of a huge mix of styles, and I’d love to explore that further, because there’s so much to discover.’
Your profile in the Netherlands has grown steadily over the last few years. Have you been actively pursuing an international career?
‘Now that I’ve finished releasing my album and am looking back on the first part of my tour, I’m exploring the connections I’ve built up over the years. And see how I can take the next step to take my project abroad myself. That would be a fantastic new development for me and open the door to countless possibilities. That’s why I’m so grateful for an opportunity like this. Going to Edinburgh gives me the chance to meet new people, learn more about the music scene there, and build valuable connections. Hopefully we can continue to support each other in the future, realise new projects together and stay in touch about everything we do in music.’
What do you hope to take back with you from Edinburgh?
‘I’m obviously hoping for an enjoyable musical collaboration. I do find it a bit nerve-wracking to embark on a project like this, but on the other hand, it’s actually really cool. We’re currently sharing our repertoires with each other, which allows us to prepare well, so I think this is definitely going to be a success. The bottom line is that I’ll be very happy if we can create something beautiful together and if it ends up laying the foundations for future exchanges!’
More about Femke Mooren
Text by Mark van Schaick