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Jazzkia is the title of Saskia's third CD and the name of the quartet she formed in 1995, to cull lovers of acoustic jazz and cross-over music. Whereas the repertoire primarily consists of her original compositions which invoke jazz giants such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and their likes, the Jazzkia concept is a direct homage to Miles Davis. With all this tradition well-absorbed, still Saskia burgeons on the 21st century with relevance, boldness, and originality. 

Back in the 1970’s, she schooled in workshops in 1979 by Nedley Elstak, Arnold Dooyeweerd at the Bimhuis and performed free jazz concerts with saxophonist Hans Dulfer quartet (a.o. with Ernst Glerum- acoustic bass). By 1985 she was touring Holland in the ensemble of conductor Butch Morris ( a.o. with Ab baars- reed instruments, Eric Vloeimans- trumpet). Since 1996 Laroo’s Jazzkia has been a Sunday-night fixture in Jazz Cafe Alto and monthly so at Jazz Cafe Casablanca, both in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In 1998 Saskia reconnected with saxophonist Teddy Edwards and recorded an album together in Los Angeles, followed by a series of performances. Since 2001 Saskia stays connected to the U.S. through her musical collaboration with pianist Warren Byrd, with whom she tours and performs throughout the world.
 

trumpet, piano /guitar, bass, drums.

Jazzkia can be extended to Jazzkia+ with extra guest musicians.
 

“She plays the trumpet with pleasant easyness”
(Maartje den Breejen, Het Parool, March 31, 2008)

-"Her muted trumpet may remind you of Miles, but the style and improv are strictly that of a rising star in the jazz world." 

(Arthur C. Bourassa, in Jazz Now. November, 1999).