Susanne Alt | Dark Horse | January 30, 2026
Amsterdam saxophonist Susanne Alt proudly announces the release of her seventh studio album. Recorded during the same inspired New York sessions that produced 2024’s Royalty For Real, the album emerges as a companion statement – distinct yet connected – featuring groove-driven compositions captured in a single arc of energy by an elite lineup of American musicians.
Dark Horse is set for release for January 30th, 2026 via Venus Tunes.
Dark Horse came to life when Alt arrived in New York with more material than anticipated. While Royalty For Real marked a return to acoustic jazz and paid tribute to trumpet icon Roy Hargrove, this new album pivots toward discovery, capturing the music that surfaced organically as soon as the tapes began rolling. The result is a cohesive snapshot of Alt’s artistry at full sail: melodic, rhythmically compelling, and constantly in dialogue with the city and the musicians around her.
At the heart of the album is its namesake concept: the “dark horse” – an unannounced, unlikely force that transforms the landscape and rewards perseverance. Here, Alt channels that spirit, suggesting that openness and determination not only weather uncertainty but transform it into momentum, creativity, and meaning.
The sound of Dark Horse is warm and immediate, presenting the band up-close with raw edges intact. Alt’s lines draw on Soul, Funk, Latin, and Bop, while the New York rhythm section maintains a pulse that is elastic and dynamic, allowing musical ideas to stretch, snap back, and spark anew. It is the same chemistry that powered Royalty For Real, now reframed in the service of exploration over homage, process over blueprint, and movement over destination.
Album highlights include the funk-tinged opener Jazz Biotic, the fusion-leaning Altitudes of Freedom, and the raw, driving title track Dark Horse. Au Privave by Charlie Parker was captured spontaneously when the pianist arrived late, while Maple Jam nods to pianist Larry Willis. Cannonballin’ and Jonesin’ honor bassist Gerald Cannon and drummer Willie Jones III, respectively, and tracks like Kalunga Dance reflect the studio’s vibrant energy.
The album features an elite rhythm section at its core: keyboardist James Hurt, whose work spans jazz, mainstream, and hip-hop/electronic projects; bassist Gerald Cannon, longtime member of Elvin Jones’ band and former McCoy Tyner musical director; and drummer Willie Jones III, acclaimed for his performances with Milt Jackson and Arturo Sandoval. Cannon and Jones III’s seven-year collaboration in Roy Hargrove’s band brings a deep, intuitive groove to the session.
Dark Horse is a forward-looking record – an invitation to embrace the unforeseen and celebrate the music that emerges when mastery meets openness.
Line up
Susanne Alt | Alto, Tenor and Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Percussion
James Hurt | Fender Rhodes, Piano, Clavinet, Organ, Synth, Percussion (Track 3)
Gerald Cannon | Bass
Willie Jones III | Drums
Track Listing
JAZZ BIOTIC
ALTITUDES OF FREEDOM
DARK HORSE
AU PRIVAVE
MAPLE JAM
CANNONBALLIN’
KALUNGA DANCE
JONESIN’
PR Quotes
The Walkers’ Magazine (JP)
“a notable work filled with Susan’s innovative, energy-rich expression“
JazzMania (BE)
“offer us a delightful jazz, a lively, effective jazz, played in a remarkable way”
Jazzflits (NL)
“with these musicians, Susanne Alt has truly hit the jackpot.”
Jazz-fun (DE)
“The album fits seamlessly into the European jazz tradition while remaining clearly transatlantic in character. Dark Horse sounds focused, rhythmically grounded, and at the same time open to contemporary influences – a statement that radiates substance and maturity.”
Esensja (PL)
“As a jazz fan (especially from across the Atlantic), it’s impossible to ignore “Dark Horse.”
Jazzenzo (NL)
“Listening to “Dark Horse” is like being at a jam session where everyone is on the same page and you know after just a few minutes: this can’t go wrong”
Hilary Seabrook (UK)
“It’s an album you’re going to want to get in your ears.“
Era Jazzu (PL)
“A coherent portrait of the saxophonist’s artistry: melodic, rhythmic and compelling.”
Jazzthing (DE)
“a fine example of creativity, communication and freedom”
All About Jazz (USA)
“her sound is inviting and soulful with fluent improvisations throughout”
Jazzthetik (DE)
“You can hear the musicians’ great enjoyment in playing together with the saxophonist, who favors a cutting tone on the alto”
UK Vibe (UK)
“engaging, well-played record that will undoubtedly appeal to listeners who value groove-led contemporary jazz performed with conviction and class”
La Habitacion del Jazz (ES)
“a convincing, smooth, and velvety-sounding Alt”
SK Jazz (SK)
“Dark Horse is a forward-looking album—an invitation to embrace the unexpected and a celebration of the music that is made when mastery meets openness.”
Jazz Views (UK)
“I don’t know if the album’s title is meant to refer to Alt, but she is a talent that deserves a much higher profile in the jazz world. A very pleasing album indeed.””
Vinyl Fan (DE)
“The album’s eight tracks radiate a vibrant, almost spontaneous energy, with virtuosic solos showcasing the musicians’ technical prowess“
Jazz in Family (IT)
“With Dark Horse, Susanne Alt reminds us that art is born from listening, from risk, from the desire to be surprised.”
Cuttings
