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Kristian Borring

After establishing himself early on as a “rising star” (Time Out, London) when moving to the British capital from Amsterdam, Kristian has cemented his name as a melodic contemporary jazz artist, who can be a leader and sideman alike. The objective of his music is story telling as shown on numerous albums with his quartet as well as in co-led projects. He is currently preparing further releases of new material with his quartet and a more eclectic solo project…

In the Summer of 2019 Kristian co-released “Make Your Stand” with Acrobat, the British/Scandinavian “cool-grooving organ trio” (AP Reviews), featuring also Will Bartlett (org) and Pat Davey (d). Acrobat’s 2nd album was recorded at Steve Winwood’s legendary Cotswolds studio. The release was followed by a European tour in early 2020, starting out at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London, and finishing 20 days later in Freiburg, Germany.

In 2018 Kristian released his first live album, recorded at the renowed venue Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston, London. Adrian Pallant from AP Reviews wrote about this album: “A COOL, LUMINOUS BREEZE once again permeates the classy grooves of Danish guitarist Kristian Borring’s original music… The guitarist’s clear improvisatory journeyings, as always, catch the attention.” A three weeks tour of the UK and Spain followed featuring the line-up from the album; Rick Simpson (p), Dave Whitford (b) and Jon Scott (d).

Kristian’s third album Silent Storm was released July 2016, recorded on a dark Autumn’s day at Curtis Schwartz Studio straight off the back of his quartet’s tour around England finishing in Bristol. The writing on this album is colourful and stylistically diverse, and is concentrated exclusively around his accomplished quartet, putting the sounds of guitar and piano backed by a strong and emphatic rhythm section in the centre of the recording. The Danish Jazz Magazine, Jazz Special, described the result as “…hard swing, lively post bop and mellow Nordic melancholy to edgy jazz-rock fusion is delivered with great force and a controlled ferocity which suits the quartet well.” The group, which featured the inspiring efforts of Arthur Lea (p), Mick Coady (b) and Jon Scott, had been playing together since 2009: “This feels like a ‘proper’ working band throughout, with a flexible and intelligent rapport honed by several years of playing together.” (The Jazz Mann). The synchronicity of the band and the level of the music was noted by Peter Jones at London Jazz News: “This is confident, sophisticated work at every level – composition, arrangement, execution – and a pleasure to listen to throughout.” The Silent Storm tour to follow of England, Wales and Denmark was supported by Arts Council England.

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21
Album Review

Kristian Borring: Out of Nowhere

Read "Out of Nowhere" reviewed by Jack Bowers


After coming of age in his home country, Danish-born guitarist Kristian Borring relocated to the U.K. where he became a stalwart fixture on the jazz scene and released four albums as leader of his own groups. Out of Nowhere is the fifth, recorded in 2019, shortly before the coronavirus pandemic struck, and featuring as before a rhythm section comprising three British comrades: pianist Rick Simpson, bassist Mick Coady and drummer Jon Scott. Borring wrote six of the ...

13
Album Review

Kristian Borring: Urban Novel

Read "Urban Novel" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay


Danish guitarist Kristian Borring has been based in London since 2006, establishing himself as a leader and sideman on the UK scene. Urban Novel is his second album, his first for the small indie label Jellymould Jazz. Recorded in London in December 2012, Urban Novel is filled with Borring's original compositions and performed by the guitarist in the company of some of the best sidemen in Britain. It's an album that readily enhances Borring's reputation. Borring's debut release, ...

143
Album Review

Kristian Borring: Nausicaa

Read "Nausicaa" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay


Nausicaa is the debut album from London-based Danish guitarist Kristian Borring. It's an assured and confident debut, demonstrating Borring's talents as a composer and player. There are some complex time signatures on display, but they're never overdone and the music remains accessible from the get-go. Borring studied guitar in Holland and in London, gaining a Masters degree from the Guildhall School of Music in 2006. Since then, he's worked with a diverse range of European jazz musicians ...

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intense and cool playing
– Jazz Special

Borring plays with a contemporary edge whilst never losing his firm grip on the jazz guitar lexicon… a masterful exposition of jazz guitar and the small jazz combo
– Bebop Spoken Here

strong rhythmic urgency…a lot of discipline and a compelling drive to the playing
– Marlbank

[KB Quartet] swing like the well-established unit they are, sounding slick and hip, but melodic throughout; despite their modernity, they play with one foot anchored in the jazz tradition
– London Jazz News

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Earth Matters

Cool It! Records
2022

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Out of Nowhere

Self Produced
2021

buy

Live at The Vortex

Self Produced
2017

buy

Urban Novel

Jellymould Jazz
2014

buy

Nausicaa

Ultra Sound Records
2011

buy

The Elf

From: Earth Matters
By Kristian Borring

Videos

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