j(A)zz! | Purple is the Color: Unbemanntes Raumschiff (AT/CZ)

Founded in 2016 by Austrian pianist Simon Raab, Purple is the Color has gradually become one of the most captivating voices in contemporary European jazz. Their music blends contemporary jazz with elements of chamber music, pop, and free improvisation; lyrical melodies develop into tense arcs, playful passages give way to experimentation, quiet moments invite dreamlike contemplation, while spontaneous shifts keep the listener alert. The ensemble embodies a type of "working band" that is increasingly rare these days: instead of spectacular temporary projects, they prefer continuous workshop work. They spent the 2024/25 season as resident musicians at Porgy & Bess in Vienna, where they developed a new program every month. As a result of this intense period, their third album, Unbemanntes Raumschiff, will be released in October.