Marit van der Lei is deeply convinced of the soothing power of music. Her music has been described as disarming and vulnerable, earning praise for her expressive writing infused with sincere passion. Van der Lei’s inspiration sparked when she once heard the wind instruments of her neighbors’ big band. Since then, she tries to approach her voice as an instrument, focusing on producing sounds rather than just singing words. Warm tones are her preference, aligning beautifully with the vision of her bandmates.While all members of the Marit van der Lei Nextet have roots in traditional jazz, her calming music takes on a more modern form, with soundscapes playing a significant role. She uses guitar pedals to manipulate her voice, creating emotional soundscapes or adding layers of heavy-reverb vocals. In a world where people are becoming increasingly polarized, Marit van der Lei Nextet strives to keep listeners connected, regardless of their political beliefs or worldviews.Marit van der Lei – vocals, effectsKika Sprangers – alto saxMatthias van den Brande – tenor saxFederico Castelli – guitarMarre de Graaff – bass guitarRuud Voesten – drums