The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 in Utrecht, Netherlands |
| Headquarters | Utrecht , Netherlands |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, EPs, singles |
The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble is a musical group originating from Utrecht, Netherlands, established in 1999. The ensemble's members comprise Jason Köhnen, Gideon Kiers, trombonist Hilary Jeffery, cellist Nina Hitz, vocalist Charlotte Cegarra, guitarist Eelco Bosman, and violinist Sadie Anderson. Their live performance counterpart is known as The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation.
History
The band, often abbreviated as TKDE, was initiated by Köhnen and Kiers in 1999 with the purpose of composing scores for silent films such as Nosferatu and Metropolis. Both founders attended the Utrecht School of Arts. Initially conceived as an electronic music project, the group expanded in 2004 by adding trombonist Jeffery and cellist Hitz. This quartet configuration produced their first album. In 2006, Cegarra and Bosman became part of the ensemble, followed by Anderson's inclusion in 2008. The improvisational side project The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation was created in 2007. Their album From the Stairwell, funded through crowd-sourcing, was released in 2011. The band officially dissolved towards the end of 2013, a fact later confirmed by Köhnen via his new project's social media channels.
On January 22, 2025, Köhnen revealed through a newsletter that both The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble and The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation had reunited after a twelve-year break. The reunion was formally announced on February 12, 2025, confirming that both groups will perform with their original members on August 29, 2025, at Lido in Berlin, Germany.
Current lineup
- Jason Köhnen – bass (2004–2013, 2025–present), double bass (2004–2013), guitar (2004–2009), programming and production (1999–2006), synthesizers and piano (2006–2013)
- Gideon Kiers – programming, electronics, sequencing, beats, FX, production (1999–2013, 2025–present), drums (2006–2013)
- Hilary Jeffery – trombone and oscillator (2004–2013, 2025–present)
- Charlotte Cegarra – vocals (2006–2013, 2025–present), flute (2008–2013), xylophone (2008–2009), piano, Rhodes piano and FX (2009–2013, 2025–present)
- Eelco Bosman – guitar and FX (2006–2013, 2025–present)
Former members
- Nina Hitz – cello (2004–2013)
- Sarah "Sadie" Anderson – violin (2008–2013)
Live members
- Eiríkur Orri Ólafsson – trumpet (2011) (featured on "From The Stairwell," track "Celladoor")
- Ron Goris – sound engineering
Session musicians
- Godfried Satan – vocals on "Bird's Lament - Tribute To Moondog" (2009)
- Coen Kaldeway – saxophone and bass clarinet on "From The Stairwell," track "Giallo" (2011)
Discography
- Studio albums
- 2006 – The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble (Planet Mu, later reissued by Denovali Records)
- 2009 – Here Be Dragons (Ad Noiseam, subsequently reissued by Denovali Records)
- 2011 – From the Stairwell (Denovali Records)
- Live albums
- 2011 – I Forsee The Dark Ahead, If I Stay (Parallel Corners, reissued by Denovali Records)
- EP
- 2009 – Mutations (Ad Noiseam, reissued by Denovali Records)
- Singles
- 2009 – Adaptation of Saint Vitus 'Patra' (Parallel Corners; cover version of Saint Vitus)
- 2009 – Palace of the Tiger Women (Parallel Corners and Ad Noiseam; remixes split single with Kava Kon)
- 2009 – Bird's Lament - Tribute to Moondog (Parallel Corners; cover of Moondog)
- 2009 – Two Live Tracks also known as Black Wing Butterfly / Goya (Ad Noiseam, Parallel Corners)
- 2010 – Dark Night of the Soul (Parallel Corners; cover of works by Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse, and David Lynch)
- 2012 – Xtabay (Parallel Corners)
- 2016 – Virgin Lava (reissue of Palace of the Tiger Women including an unreleased Kava Kon track)
Starting in 2016, Denovali Records commenced reissuing the band's entire back catalogue.