First solo album by Ukraine's leading jazz pianist — a seven-part suite about Kyiv. Release 5 June 2026.
Oleksandr Saratsky presents the first solo album 'Kyiv Suite' on 5 June 2026 on the Mukha Records label. This is a seven-part jazz suite (total duration 62 minutes) for solo piano dedicated to Ukraine's capital. This is the first solo release by the 42-year-old pianist, who for over 20 years has been a session player for Ukraine's leading performers (Laura Marti, Dennis Adu, Tina Karol, MONATIK, and others). Suite structure: I. 'Podil: Morning' (8:12) — softer modal jazz, reflecting an early morning in old Kyiv; II. 'Khreshchatyk: Movement' (7:45) — energetic bebop, reflecting the centre; III. 'St. Volodymyr Cathedral: Prayer' (10:33) — sacred sphere, with references to Orthodox hymns; IV. 'Dnipro: Perception' (9:01) — free jazz meditation; V. 'Andriivskyi Descent: Memory' (8:18) — nostalgic blues; VI. 'Babyn Yar: Silence' (7:55) — abstract, requiem; VII. 'Sophia: Return' (10:16) — synthesis, unifying all previous themes. Recording took place at Berlin Funkhaus in January-February 2026 on a 9-foot Steinway Concert Grand D-274. Sound engineer — Jörg Silvestri (also recorded Marti and Adu). The album releases in formats: digital streaming, CD digipack with 28-page booklet (Yuriy Andrukhovych's essay on Kyiv identity), 180g vinyl (limited 400 copies). The presentation concert runs at the Kyiv House of Organ Music on 8 June 2026; the recording will be available as a live-bonus.
