Jazz Festival: Alex Trask Quartet - Imaginary Folksongs

An exclusive concert for Wellington Jazz Festival at The Undercurrent.

Alex Trask’s ‘Imaginary Folksongs’ blends Earth folk music with a speculative style from an imaginary place. Inspired by bluegrass, Scottish folk music, and jazz performance practice, the tunes have a simplicity in common. Free improvised sections contrast carefully arranged melodies, allowing creativity and structure to coexist. The fiddle-esque melodies and straightforward harmonies create an open and inviting sound that changes depending on the musicians on stage. Performing this music as a group invites each member to paint their private imaginings, creating a unique collective folklore. The quartet will also perform a selection of tunes that inspired the music, including songs by Brian Blade, Gordon Lightfoot, and traditional melodies.

Alex Trask – saxophone
Duncan Haynes – piano
Elijah Mulheron – bass
John Rae – drums