New Life

with Azilut!
To the Power of Three


Pianist and composer Julie Sassoon is classically trained on piano and violin. She graduated in music and visual arts from Lancaster University in 1988, winning the university prize for piano performance, and later completed postgraduate studies in jazz piano and Indian violin at Leeds College of Music.

Julie formed the trio Azilut! in 2000 with Bart van Helsdingen, (twice nominated Best Jazz Drummer in the Netherlands ) and Lothar Ohlmeier (tenor and soprano saxophone, bass clarinet). They released their album “To The Power Of Three” in 2001 on the Babel Label. Azilut! have performed at major venues and festivals throughout the UK and Europe , receiving outstanding reviews.

She has been a key member of ensembles including Inside Colours a dynamic duo with Lothar Ohlmeier; Piano Circus , the international contemporary music ensemble for six pianos; Martha Lewis's Café Aman – with Antonio Forcione and Frank Tontoh; a duo with accordionist Karen Street and the quartet Freefall with Tom Arthurs, Milo Fell and Lothar Ohlmeier.

Julie has performed her music throughout UK, Europe, the Baltic States and USA, at venues including Queen Elizabeth Hall; Royal Festival Hall; Barbican; BIMhouse, Amsterdam; Vilnius Concert Hall; Royal Northern College of Music Concert Hall; Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho; The Jazz Café, Camden; Djanogly Recital Hall, Nottingham; Guildhall, Bath International Music Festival; University of Pennsylvania.

She has also performed with Stan Sulzman, Ingrid Laubrock, Dylan Bates, Nikki Isles and Mike Walker. As a visual artist Julie has exhibited her paintings in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Berlin.

Julie recorded a solo piano album entitled New Life on the Babel Label which was released in August 2006. She appeared in November 2006 at the London Jazz Festival opening for Ralph Towner's pastoral jazz band Oregon. Julie currently resides in Berlin. Amongst her new projects are with vocalist Efrat Alony.

 

Critical acclaim for Azilut! and Julie Sassoon:

“A solo performance by any of these exceptional musicians would have an audience spellbound; together, they seemed capable of miracles…” 5* James Griffiths, The Guardian

"Julie Sassoon, a pianist of astonishing resources, applies a concentrated beam of intelligence to everything she does . .. an earnest, brilliantly gifted player." Mike Butler, Manchester City Life

"English pianist Julie Sassoon is a new name and one to remember. Her music is difficult to classify, but if you like originality, intelligence, good taste and craftsmanship, chances are you'll enjoy it..." Jack Massarik, London Evening Standard  

"Sassoon, in particular, emerges as an important new writer in jazz and, for one, I hope to hear more from her ..." Jazzwise Magazine

 

Click here to read an old interview with Julie Sassoon.

Music runs in the family. Click here to hear daughter Mia sing

- Copyright © MCMXCVIII - Babel.