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Magic Realism

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Selected Jazz album of the week by NDR

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About Chai Masters

They find sharp balances between virtuosic turns and sensitivity. Chai Masters has found a solid group identity.

Joe Woodard

All about jazz, USA

"Magic realism exudes a particular atmosphere, both nostalgic and serene, as if a magic breath had carried the band away."

Jean-Claude Ventroyen

Le Soir

Energetic, powerful and rousing.

Sarah Seidel

NDR

Subtly ticking, subliminally grooving, sometimes highly virtuosic; a lyrical dream music full of secret places of refuge.

Reinhard Köchl

Jazz thing

The poetic potential of the Chai Masters on their debut album Magic Realism is astounding

Georg Waßmuth

SWR2

Ambitious and successful.

Howard Mendel

Jazz Journalists Asssociation, USA

Their proficiency in different musical languages allows them to play anything they want, and that's what they do. Because they can.

Mirian Arbalejo

NPR, Spain

Chai Masters conveys warmth and edge. I would travel a long way to see a band like this.

John Fenton

Jazz Journalists Association, New Zealand

The Chai Masters’ music is a celebration of narrative imagination. Their original compositions are inspired by one of the most unique literary movements of the last century: Magic Realism. Like a story that blurs the line between reality and fantasy, the repertoire is a framework where flamenco, film soundtracks and jazz intermingle. Complex rhythms are combined with evocative melodies, and merged into the textures and the lyricism of the united horns and voice.

The six musicians started brewing their music in 2018, in the Conservatory of Amsterdam’s Karnatic lab. Soon enough, merging their backgrounds together, they found a band chemistry, and started to refine their sound while performing in the Netherlands. They were finalists of numerous international competitions, such as the Golden Jazz Trophy in Lille (France), the Leiden Jazz Competition, Keep an Eye The Records,  and the 7 Virtual Jazz Club Contest where they received 3rd prize, which gave them international exposure. A first EP was released during the lockdown, as well as a collaboration with renowned Spanish artist Antonio Lizana. More recently, the band released its debut album Magic Realism under Challenge Records. It has been selected Jazz Album of the Week by NDR (Germany) and received critical acclaim in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France.

Photo credits: Anastasiia Mykytiuk