Kathrine Windfeld - Salt Sea Atlas (2026) [Hi-Res]

Over the past ten years, Kathrine Windfeld has established herself as a distinctive voice on the European jazz scene. As a composer, arranger and bandleader, she moves effortlessly between complex compositions and energetic improvisation. Vast harmonic landscapes meet powerful grooves and a keen sense of melody. Her music combines compositional precision with a lively, spontaneous and deeply human expressiveness.

With numerous international awards and accolades – including the prestigious Rising Stars Jazz Award, European Edition, in 2020 – Windfeld has built up an extensive and critically acclaimed body of work since her debut album AIRCRAFT (2015). This was followed by LATENCY (2017), ORCA (2020), DETERMINATION (2021) and the sextet album ALDEBARAN (2024). Both AIRCRAFT and ALDEBARAN were honoured with a Danish Music Award.

Kathrine Windfeld (born 1984) studied jazz piano at the Malmö Academy of Music. Even before completing her Bachelor’s degree in 2016, she founded her big band, which made its debut in 2014. Since then, she has made a name for herself internationally as a composer, arranger and conductor, demonstrating an extraordinary ability to both master and rethink the big band format.

With her new album *SALT SEA ATLAS*, Windfeld presents eight compositions that explore duality and contrasts – both in the external world and in the inner emotional landscape. The music is performed by various line-ups: a 17-piece big band, an 11-piece ensemble, a septet and a quintet. This creates an extraordinary range of sound and dynamics.

The recordings, supervised by August Wanngren at The Village Recording Studio in Copenhagen, were completed in just two days and demanded the utmost concentration from Windfeld and the musicians involved. The first day was devoted to the smaller ensembles, whilst the big band material was recorded on the second day.

SALT SEA ATLAS is Kathrine Windfeld’s most ambitious work to date in an already impressive and highly decorated career. The album once again showcases her extraordinary ability to combine compositional complexity with an immediate emotional impact. Across various ensemble configurations and a broad emotional spectrum, the full scope of her artistic vision unfolds—all while remaining profoundly human.

With SALT SEA ATLAS, Kathrine Windfeld cements her position as one of Europe’s most exciting jazz composers and bandleaders, further underscoring her status as a unique artistic voice.