Chasing Sakura, by Seonaid Aitken Ensemble

Chasing Sakura

by Seonaid Aitken Ensemble

supported by

	/

Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Comes in a CD wallet with 8-page booklet - with bespoke artwork by Kirsty Matheson, photography by Kris Kesiak and Adam Bulley and design by Ali Aitken.

Includes unlimited streaming of Chasing Sakura via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 1 day

£12 GBP or more
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£7.99 GBP or more

1.	Chasing Sakura: Awakening 02:21	info	buy track
2.	Chasing Sakura: Chasing Sakura 05:58	info	buy track
3.	Chasing Sakura: Beauty & Wonder 04:06	info	buy track
4.	Chasing Sakura: Hanami 05:29	info	buy track
5.	Chasing Sakura: Spring Song 04:27	info	buy track
6.	Chasing Sakura: The Walk 03:28	info	buy track
7.	Chasing Sakura: Sakura Snowstorm 04:29	info	buy track
8.	Chasing Sakura: Impermanence 04:51	info	buy track
9.	Chasing Sakura: Rebirth 04:22	info	buy track
10.	Chasing Sakura: Hanami (Reprise) 01:39	info	buy track

about

CHASING SAKURA
In Japan, the cherry blossom (sakura) is widely celebrated. It is symbolic of rebirth - springtime, hope, optimism - but is also a reminder of the impermanence of life. Its beauty is wonderful yet fleeting. Having lived in Tokyo and experienced Hanami - the flower ‘viewing’ or celebration of sakura - Seonaid has drawn a parallel with this season to her life now in Scotland. After a serious accident, Seonaid found herself unable to walk and was forced to slow down and focus on her well-being. During a lengthy and isolated recovery due to ‘lockdown’ she was able to explore her local surroundings and discover the transformative and healing powers of nature. As both mind and body gradually healed, she found a new perspective. Through jazz, classical and folk idioms, Seonaid’s musical suite ‘Chasing Sakura’ - originally commissioned by Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival in 2021 - was written for a hand-picked ensemble of string quintet and saxophone/flute. Featuring cross-genre and improvising musicians, it follows the lifespan of the cherry blossom and explores the themes of a fleeting but beautiful life, lived to the fullest.

“This is healing music, life affirming, positive, engaging, melodic - a real thrill!”
ABERDEEN JAZZ FESTIVAL

“uplifting, optimistic…evocative and emotional…enchanting and ethereal”
LONDON JAZZ NEWS

credits

released April 29, 2022

Seonaid Aitken - violin & vocals
Katrina Lee - violin
Patsy Reid - viola
Alice Allen - cello
Emma Smith - bass
Helena Kay - tenor sax & flute

Music composed by Seonaid Aitken.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Stuart Hamilton at Castlesound Studios, Pencaitland, Scotland.

‘Chasing Sakura’ (album cover) painting by Kirsty Matheson.
Design by Ali Aitken.

Seonaid Aitken is supported by Creative Scotland and PRS Foundation’s Women Make Music.

license

about

Seonaid Aitken Glasgow, UK

Seonaid Aitken is a violinist, vocalist, composer/orchestrator and BBC broadcaster from Scotland. Awarded ‘Best Vocalist’ twice at the Scottish Jazz Awards, she performs with award-winning Gypsy Jazz band Rose Room as well as the Tim Kliphuis Sextet and Swing 2023. Much in demand as a session recording artist and arranger, she has been commissioned by the RPO and EJBF and was SAY Award Longlisted. ... more

Facebook

contact / help

Contact Seonaid Aitken

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this album or account

If you like Chasing Sakura, you may also like:

Heal & Harrow
by Heal & Harrow

supported by 12 fans who also own “Chasing Sakura”

Love the complexity of this track and the rising and falling of the violins, and the texture. Makes me want to dance. Thank you so much for this album. I really love it, and find it really inspiring my own work on the Witchcraft Trials ❤️ tararosehip
go to album
Deepening The River
by Paul Towndrow

supported by 11 fans who also own “Chasing Sakura”

I absolutely loved this gig live which is why I bought the record. What an album! The crossovers are epic, and totally representative of my experience of living in Glasgow as a musical city. I haven't heard too many collabs between the folk and jazz scenes here, but the ones I've seen are so alive and playful. This music makes me think of stumbling on a full blown pros jam session in a pub somewhere in Glasgow because of its energy, but the arrangements are feckin awesome! Laura-Beth Salter
go to album
Momento
by Dave Milligan

supported by 11 fans who also own “Chasing Sakura”
go to album
Jackson & Tchicai 'Something Is Rotten in Denmark' single excerpt
by Michael Gregory Jackson

featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 23, 2024
go to album
What If?
by Alex Hamburger

Flutist, vocalist, and composer Alex Hamburger creates a wide-ranging electro-acoustic jazz world on her latest album. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 11, 2023
go to album
And She Spoke
by Alex Hamburger

DC native flutist, singer, and composer Alex Hamburger’s latest is inspired by the diverse and ever-changing concept of the female voice. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 14, 2021
go to album
Torus
by James Lindsay

supported by 11 fans who also own “Chasing Sakura”

A unique and wonderful album - a sophisticated, seemingly effortless mix of jazz, prog and traditional scottish folk music. Highly recommended. hot_rats
go to album