Alex Simu Quintet

Romanian clarinet and saxophone player Alex Simu reflects on his native Bucharest with his international jazz group from Amsterdam.

Alex Simu plays in various ensembles, including the acclaimed Arifa, which sheds new light on music from the Middle East and the Balkan. With his jazz quintet he once again looks eastwards, in particular his native Bucharest.

The Romanian born reeds player plays with jazz musicians from his current residence Amsterdam, all of them remarkable double talents. A pianist picking up the accordion or a drummer playing classical cello: everything is possible in Alex Simu’s quintet. Aside from his own music he regularly composes film soundtracks, often with the help of electronic instruments.

‘Undoubtedly virtuosic with an emotional depth you would expect from a veteran like Ivo Papasov’ (de Volkskrant).

‘In the end composition is key, and Arifa’s compositions, most of which mere written by Alex Simu, are breathtakingly beautiful’ (Mixedworldmusic).

‘The soundscape is very special: Alex Simu’s music organically blends in with the moving rocks, buzzing mosquitoes and other, more obscure sounds’ (NRC on the film Beyond Sleep).

Alex Simu klarinet/tenorsax/viola da gamba, George Dumitriu gitaar/(alt)viool, Franz von Chossy piano/accordeon, Jörg Brinkman cello/basgitaar, Kristijan Krajncan cello/drums