Javier Rojo | Música Para Amansar Fieras | January 10, 2025

Born in Guadalajara (Spain) and currently residing in Basel, young saxophonist Javier Rojo has already made his mark on the European modern jazz scene: he’s learned from mentors in Mark Turner and Guillermo Klein, performing with the likes of Lionel Loueke, Chano Dominguez and Aaron Parks, and toured the continent’s leading venues and festivals as a bandleader and sideman.

Driven by a deep passion for his craft, a commitment to excellence and a desire to explore uncharted musical territory, his debut album ‘Música Para Amansar Fieras’ is set to release on January 10th on Fresh Sound New Talent.

With Rojo’s melodic writing in the foreground, the saxophonist’s influences range from classic jazz to avant-garde sounds, classical music, flamenco, and pop, all conveyed through his sextet’s vibrant, rhythm-filled energy and dynamism.

The band cites interactivity and listening as two key aspects of their collective sound. Honing Rojo’s compositions through extensive touring in Spain, the camaraderie between the band is palpable, translating into a deep connection with the music and their audiences. Improvisation flows naturally, creating a spontaneous and energetic musical dialogue.

“Every note, every melody, embodies the experiences and emotions I’ve lived through over the past five years since I began playing the saxophone. Crafted with utmost care, this album strives to express my most authentic feelings, imprinting the deepest parts of myself into every composition, each of which holds profound and personal meaning.”

Each piece on the record paints a musical picture of a relationship, place, or story Rojo holds dear. Clemirunas is a dedication to his grandparents and the love, kindness and sacrifice they inspire him with. Riba is dedicated to the village in central Spain his mother comes from. Black, White and Colours is a reference to a tool Rojo used to deal with grief. The title track, translated as ‘Music to Tame Beasts’, references his two little cousins, who only seem to find tranquility in hearing Rojo play the piano.

Line up

Track Listing

Black, White and Colours
Late April
Lonely Night
Riba
Clemirunas
Coefusión Monstruosa
Plátanos, Aguacates y Naranjas
Música Para Amansar Fieras
Yolanda
Lonely Night (Alternate Take)

PR Quotes

Jazzwise (UK)
“Rojo may be in his mid-twenties but already he is in his element with maturity and purpose“

Jazz Views (UK)
“These guys are having real musical conversations”

Blue in Green (UK)
“the musical embodiment of wearing one’s heart on their sleeve”

Jazz Mania (BE)
“Jordi Pujol, head of the Fresh Sound New Talent label, knows damn well who to give a chance to. With this Javier Rojo and his sextet, it’s clearly a successful move”

Esensja (PL)
“Javier Rojo – remember this artist!”

NRW Jazz (DE)
“a fine, contemporary jazz record… the swing is relaxed, the boppy passages are driving, the ballads are tender and emotional – Rojo’s own compositions have a lot to offer”

Salt-peanuts (DK)
“I feel that you can hear that the compositions were made by a musician from southern Europe, which gives the songs a nice intensity and warmth.”

Era Jazzu (PL)
“a perfect showcase for the young European jazz scene”

PJ in Jazz (JP)
“straight-ahead energy characteristic of young musicians, making it a refreshing listen”

Jazzfilts (NL)
“energetic, playful, and pleasantly sentimental”

La Habitacion Del Jazz (ES)
“an excellent debut album from an excellent sextet that is worth following closely”

Goldmine Magazine (US)
“exhilarating, entertaining, with his influences of mainstream jazz, avant-garde, flamenco, pop and classical all converging into a wrap-around carnivalesque THC-friendly trip of heady proportions.”

Jazz Weekly (US)
“brings fresh ideas to the post bop genre”