Having established herself through projects ranging from her 14-piece Rahel Talts Ensemble to international quartet recordings, Talts has developed a reputation for melodic, emotionally driven compositions that draw on a wide range of influences. Tacos and Other Things takes a different direction from her previous releases, placing her long-standing affection for swing and bebop at the centre of the music. All eight pieces are original compositions, written with the freedom and rhythmic vitality of the jazz tradition in mind.

The album also reflects an important period in Talts’ life. Written during her years living in Denmark and Lithuania, much of the material brings back memories of the five years she spent studying and developing as a musician in Denmark. For Talts, the music recalls the excitement of conservatory life, friendships, long hours of practice and the freedom to experiment with composition and arranging. That sense of enjoyment runs throughout the album, giving the music an upbeat character while leaving plenty of room for unexpected turns.

The trio came together through Talts’ connections in the Danish jazz scene. Mogensen, an established figure in European jazz, was one of her teachers at the music conservatory in Odense, while Roland is an active presence on Copenhagen’s jazz circuit. Talts saw in the two musicians the ideal partners for this repertoire, drawing on their experience and shared understanding of the swing tradition to bring her compositions to life.

Born in Estonia, Talts has become increasingly active across the European jazz scene, performing at festivals including Jazz Baltica, Copenhagen Jazz Festival and Jazzkaar. Her international projects have taken her from the Elbphilharmonie Jazz Academy in Hamburg to the Euroradio Jazz Orchestra, while her Rahel Talts Ensemble was named Jazz Ensemble of the Year 2026 in Estonia. Her recordings include Power of Thought, Greener Grass, New and Familiar and a 2025 quartet album Back and Forth featuring British guitarist Rob Luft.

For Talts, Tacos and Other Things is as much about the pleasure of playing as it is about composition. Inspired by the energy of the Danish jazz scene and her own affection for traditional jazz, the album brings a lighter, more playful dimension to her work without losing the melodic identity that connects her different projects.

With Tacos and Other Things, Rahel Talts offers a lively portrait of a musician whose interests continue to expand. Full of swing, melodic invention and rhythmic surprises, the album celebrates the friendships, experiences and musical discoveries that have shaped her journey so far.