Purple Is The Color

Formed in 2016 by Austrian pianist Simon Raab, Purple is the Color has steadily become one of the most compelling and distinct voices in contemporary European jazz. With Štěpán Flagar (saxophone), Martin Kocián (double bass), and Michał Wierzgoń (drums), the band has grown into a true working collective – evolving organically over the years and always prioritizing artistic depth over flashy spectacle. Purple is the Color’s name itself is a metaphor: “Red is the heart. Blue is the brain. Purple is the balance. And in purple there’s a little green – that’s the magic.” This philosophy runs through every note they play. Their music merges contemporary jazz with elements of chamber music, pop, and free improvisation. Lyrical melodies unfold into tension-rich arcs; passionate, playful passages give way to experimentation and surprise. Quiet moments invite dreamlike immersion, while spontaneous shifts keep the audience engaged at every turn. As Christoph Huber (Porgy&Bess) puts it: “Purple is the Color is a prime example of a working band – a collective that collaborates consistently and continuously, always evolving further. A rare exception in this fast- moving era, where supposedly spectacular projects often seem more in demand than witnessing the step-by-step maturation of a group. My very first jazz record was Keith Jarrett’s Belonging, with his European quartet. Purple is the Color comes very close to this fantastic band.”