Kristian Borring - Guitarist/Composer
Number Junky
Birak (2024)
Earth Matters (2022)
About
The Danish/Australian trio Number Junky is an inventive jazz group to come out of the Southern Hemisphere. They play provocative rhythms and odd-time signatures while retaining a focus on both lyrical melodies and lush harmony. The group is led by Kristian Borring with the rhythm section of Zac Grafton on double-bass, and Peter Evans on drums.
Their debut album 'Earth Matters' (2022, Coolit! Records) received international acclaim by publications such as Jazziz, Jazz Halo, The Australian, and Jazz Journal. The album’s maturity and appeal was been praised for “its lustrous sound and its melodic and harmonic qualities combined with the exploration of skilful rhythms” (Jazz Mania), while Borring was hailed as being a “post-bop wizard” (Vintage Guitars).
The trio's latest album, 'Birak', (2024, Coolit! Records) was also released to high to critical acclaim with "memorable themes and great playing" (Dingo Jazz). The track "Basel Return" even earned a spot on the ABC's premier music program 'The Music Show'.
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The group has performed across Australia since 2024 and were also featured at Perth International Jazz Festival. Number Junky plays original compositions and modern interpretation of jazz standards. The albums also mark collaborations with Cuban/American piano virtuoso Fabian Almazan (‘Earth Matters’) and British saxophonist comet, Will Vinson (Birak).
Press
"Inventive and unyielding...the group earn their name by making switches of groove and time-feel sound easy".
- Dingo Jazz Magazine (AUS)
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"Number Junky's understated strengths: finely-crafted melodies, shifting time signatures, coupled with a dedication to tightly-woven group interplay." – Rhythms Magazine (AUS)
"The music opens up an ocean of improvisational possibilities" – Jazz-Fun.de (D)
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"For all its rhythmic complexities the music of Number Junky remains eminently melodic and accessible and has the potential to appeal to a broad jazz listenership." – The Jazz Mann (UK)
"both accessible and experimental" - Jazz-Fun.de (D)
"Melodic and harmonic qualities combined with the exploration of skilful rhythms” - Jazz Mania (BEL)
"Cutting edge" - The Australian
"Bebop-oriented programme with provocative rhythmic variation" - Jazz Journal (UK)
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"I think Number Junky is a band that surprises positively. They have a lovely attitude towards the music, most of which sounds relaxed and nice. And the three members of the trio collaborate and communicate well the whole way." – Salt Peanuts (N)
"Kristian plays with emotion and depth, speaking through the strings of his guitar" - Dingo Jazz Magazine (AUS)
“Kristian Borring is a … post-bop wizard” (Vintage Guitars, US)
“Basel Return”, which in my opinion is the best of the album – a fantastically free and liberating track that, amidst everything, clearly demonstrates the trio's fantastic sense of swing.” (Ivan Rod, DK)
