Isaiah Collier — Crocus Jazz Festival

Coming from the incredibly vibrant and creative Chicago music scene, Isaiah Collier is today one of the most exciting artists of the young generation of American jazz. Multi-instrumentalist, composer, curator, educator and activist, he gained international recognition primarily as a saxophonist endowed with tremendous expression, spiritual depth and exceptional stage energy. His work stems from the traditions of spiritual jazz, improvised music and African-American cultural heritage, while boldly opening himself to contemporary forms of expression.

Collier performs both with author projects and as a member of the Brotherhood led by Angel Bat David. He has also collaborated with many prominent artists of the contemporary music scene, including Chance The Rapper, Wadada Leo Smith III, Junius Paul and William Hooker. His artistic activities go far beyond music itself, also encompassing education, social activities and supporting young artists associated with the Chicago improv scene.

Special recognition was brought to him by the album “Cosmic Transitions”, recorded with the band The Chosen Few. The release was released in 2021 and very quickly was hailed as one of the most important jazz albums of the year. Among other things, the album won a prestigious five-star review by DownBeat magazine and was included in numerous lists of the best releases of the year on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Cosmic Transitions” is a monumental, multi-part suite inspired by John Coltrane's spiritual and musical heritage. The album was recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio on the exact day of Coltrane's birthday, using part of the same analog equipment used during the historic recording session of “A Love Supreme”. This symbolic gesture underlines Collier's strong connection to the spiritual jazz tradition, yet his music remains distinctly contemporary, full of courage, intensity and the search for new means of expression.

Isaiah Collier's work impresses with both its enormous musical versatility and emotional authenticity. His concerts are an intense experience, full of improvisational freedom, trance energy and deep dialogue between musicians. He is an artist who looks respectfully at the history of jazz, but at the same time boldly contributes to its future.