Jaga Jazzist, Union Chapel

20 years old but still no easier to define, nine piece Norwegian behemoth Jaga Jazzist make a rare UK appearance at Union Chapel in Islington. Led by songwriting guru and musical magpie Lars Horntveth, the group take inspiration from the worlds of classical minimalism, electronica, jazz, funk, drum and bass, techno and progressive rock, to name but a few, distilling them down to create their own unique sound. Add to that the fact that the majority of Jaga’s members play multiple instruments (brass, woodwinds, Fender Rhodes, lap steel guitar, vibraphone, and more electronics than James Blake would know what to do with all feature in their sets) and you have musical outfit of serious scope.
Though the group formed in 1994 it wasn’t until the worldwide release of A Livingroom Hush in 2002 that they got the widespread recognition they deserved. Named Jazz Album of the Year by the BBC, it was followed by a raft of innovative and highly acclaimed releases, including the heavily electronic Stix, which came out in 2003, What We Must in 2005 and, following a five year break, One Armed Bandit in 2010. Ever ambitious, in 2013 the group raised the bar once again when they released Live with the Britten Sinfonia, following a series of collaborations with the leading British chamber ensemble which reworked and expanded highlights from the Jaga back catalogue. The group’s reputation for restless innovation makes it hard to say what they’ll do next or exactly what to expect from this long-awaited London date but, whatever it is, you’ll want to be there to find out.