Solur

Last night, I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing Solur Jazz Saxophone: Henry Knudsen and Guitar Jazz Maestro Hide Takemoto, in an intimate London setting at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith; and I can honestly say — it was nothing short of magic. From the moment the first note floated through the room, there was this immediate warmth, like the music itself was wrapping you in a velvet embrace. Henry and Hide worked well together as a Jazz duo, with the sax and guitar intertwining well, with great sound ambience and a nice round warmth. Both musicians looked as if they thoroughly enjoyed the playing, and there was a very warm reception from the audience. I can warmly recommend this Jazz duo for any event.

What struck me first was the incredible balance they managed to strike: refined yet full of life, sophisticated but never pretentious. Henry Knudsen on saxophone was truly mesmerising — a master of his craft, weaving between smooth, soulful melodies and bursts of lively, spontaneous improvisation. Equally captivating was Hide Takemoto on guitar, whose playing added such depth and subtle brilliance to the performance. His sensitive, almost conversational accompaniment complemented Henry’s saxophone beautifully, creating this effortless dialogue between the two instruments. Hide’s guitar work provided a lush harmonic foundation, but when he stepped into the spotlight, his solos sparkled with creativity and flair. The interplay between them was pure joy to witness — they pushed and pulled at the rhythm and melody with such natural chemistry, keeping the audience completely engaged.