Shogo Seifert has developed a unique sound language on the trumpet and is one of the most promising young jazz musicians of his generation.
With deep respect for tradition and at the same time an open eye for modernity, he creates a fascinating balance between emotion and intellect in his playing.
- Prof. Bastian Stein, Jazz Institute Berlin
Causes of Imagination is a bold statement from an artist who prioritizes feeling over formula and intuition over technical rigor. Shogo Seifert succeeds in blending two quartets into a single organic sound – with warmth, wit, and astonishing ease.
His trumpet playing takes center stage: warm, penetrating, and at times mischievous [...]
What stands out in particular is Seifert's refusal to allow the music to become rigid in predictable patterns.
It's a balancing act like walking a tightrope, and Seifert masters it with the ease of a musician who has mastered his instrument as well as the clever idea behind it.
-Glenn Astarita, allaboutjazz
Emotion and intellect form a unity here – sometimes it sounds quite emotional, at other times quite avant-garde. And Shogo Seifert's style also moves between these two stools, often quite raw – he reminds me most of colleagues like Enrico Rava or Tomasz StaÅ„ko. I see the result as a quite bold experiment, one that seems unique in this way. This gives you the impression more than once that something new has been created – and that is absolutely impressive in this form.
– Wolfgang Giese, Musik an sich
A thoroughly successful and well-thought-out debut album. High-quality arrangements, a refined sound, and expressive compositions make it a true highlight. Shogo Seifert moves virtuosically between classical and jazz, incorporating influences from world music and boldly experimenting with electronic sounds. Particularly impressive is the warm, multifaceted sound of his trumpet combined with the orchestral arrangements – simply magnificent! An album not to be missed.
- Jacek Brun, JazzFun
The music was multi-layered, with long arcs of tension and many rhythmic finesses. Urgent trumpet solos, groovy piano, stormy percussion, and powerful bass pizzicato alternated with elegiac flugelhorn, bowed bass, lyrical piano passages, and sensitive brushes. […] His entire playing was focused on a mindful presence—he was present with himself and, above all, with his fellow players at every moment. […] The young band had an outstanding ensemble sound, a wonderful sense of togetherness. […] The audience would have liked to hear them for longer.
– Uwe Bräutigam, Lovebird Festival
RAUKE was created after SEIFERT's work with larger ensembles and draws on the bandleader's personal, non-musical experiences. This exploration takes place musically in the realm of high-energy contemporary jazz, enriched with the subtlety of classical music. "Free" phases alternate with introspective sequences; perfectly placed synth sounds find their place alongside acoustic instruments, and the strings always complement everything perfectly. It's not music you can easily consume casually—it's an album you have to get involved with—but it's definitely worth it. Highly recommended!
- er-rem
“A synthesis of classical elegance paired with the dynamism and improvisational spirit of jazz […] forms a completely new sound aesthetic, as exciting as it is touching.
– Mirjam Hantke-Zimnol, Rheinpfalz
'Causes of Imagination' is not simply jazz plus string music, but a fusion of eight musicians in which modern jazz, fusion sounds, bebop influences and rock elements create a successful synthesis.
– Rolf Thomas, Jazz thing
A fresh and exciting project that combines classic jazz elements with modern and experimental sounds.
– Rainer Guérich, inMusic