During the past 20 years saxophonist Christina Fuchs has developed an instantly recognizable sound and a unique language as a composer. Her large-ensemble work is most frequently performed by the United Women's Orchestra, which she leads with Hazel Leach. She has also conducted performances by the NDR Radio Big Band, which has commissioned her compositions. Other large groups, such as the Blue Art Orchestra, also play her work from time to time.
Fuchs' primary small ensembles include a quartet and a duo. The Christina Fuchs Quartet, just released its first CD "NoTango." Her long-standing duo KontraSax, with contrabassist Romy Herzberg, is her most intimate forum for musical communication. This duo has released three CDs, has scored several documentary films, and has worked in innumerable settings over the past decade and a half.
Fuchs' work includes traditional concerts as well as collaborations with other art forms, such as dance, visual arts, literature, spoken word, movies, and theatre. What is common to all of these settings is Fuchs' emphasis on blending written and improvised music.
Her originality has been felt in just about every corner of the German jazz scene, including concerts, radio broadcasts and TV productions. Fuchs has received awards and scholarships at +++Künstlerhaus Ahrenshoop/Germany 2007 +++NDR Radio Big Band comission/Germany 2005+++Nairs/Art in Engadina Bassa/Switzerland 2004+++Art Omi Music Program NY 2003+++Julius Hemphill Composition Awards for Large Ensemble U.S.A. 2002+++Jazz a r t -New Music in the 21st century- composition award NRW/Germany 2001+++BMI composers program NYC with Jim McNeely, Michael Abene 1999/2000+++Banff Centre of the Arts/Canada 1997/98.
