Jas Kayser
jas 5ive
Tracklist:
Darkness In The Light (feat. Ava Joseph & Giacomo Smith)
Following in the footsteps of UK jazz heavyweights, Nubya Garcia, Ashley Henry & Kaidi Tatham, London-based, Berklee-trained drummer/composer and Jazz FM's Breakthrough Act of 2021, Jas Kayser unveils her much anticipated debut album in 2022 for Jazz re:freshed's iconic 5ive series.
With meditative jazz arrangements, finessed afrobeat fusions and energising studio production, Jas 5ive offers a sincere and candid reflection on themes of identity, self-discovery and family as well as navigating deep questions, from Jas's upbringing to her travels abroad.
The trajectory of 26-year old, Dorset-raised Kayser since gaining her undergrad and Masters from Berklee has been quietly exponential performing in bands led by a who's who of UK talent from Alfa Mist, Poppy Ajudha, Nubya Garcia and Shabaka Hutchings, to Brit Award and Grammy-nominated singer Jorja Smith. She's also presented her band at Boiler Room Festival for gal-dem and will showcase at Jazz re:freshed's SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas in 2022. Even rock legend Lenny Kravitz invited Jas to perform a drum duet and cameo in his 2018 'Low' video (currently sitting at 96 million Youtube streams).
But it's Jas's latest solo work packed full of influences ranging from Michael Olatuja, Richard Bona, Terri Lyne Carrington to Chris Dave and Pedrito Martinez that provides the most detailed account of her complete abilities as drummer, bandleader and composer.
Expanding on the strong West African foundation of her Fela-inspired, 2020 three track EP, Unforced Rhythm Of Grace, Jas 5ive deduces the similarities between afrobeat and jazz with a technical precision and social/cultural framing.
The 5ive's mellow, pop-infused production and catchy arrangements echo the many hours Jas has spent with the UK's latest chart-bound talent.
