Ineza’s latest album IBUKA drops today.

Today marks the release of Ineza Kerschkamp’s much-anticipated debut album, “IBUKA,” a deeply personal and musically sophisticated project that brings a fresh voice to the contemporary jazz landscape. Since the album’s launch, the first wave of critical responses has begun to take shape across the jazz world, setting a positive tone for what promises to be a significant entry in 2025’s jazz calendar. Notably, the Jazz In Europe website has published a thoughtful review praising the album’s originality and emotional resonance, highlighting Ineza’s unique blend of jazz tradition and personal narrative.

As an artist, Ineza has quickly become known for her distinctive vocal timbre and compelling compositional voice, and “IBUKA” solidifies her place as one of the most important new talents emerging from the European jazz scene. The album’s title, which means “remember” in Kinyarwanda, is an apt reflection of the deeply autobiographical nature of the music. Rooted in Ineza’s complex upbringing—born in Rwanda and adopted into a Belgian family just before the 1994 genocide—the album explores themes of identity, memory, loss, and healing through eight original compositions that balance accessibility with compositional depth.\

We are pleased to share that soon listeners will be able to hear more detailed reflections from the artist herself. A feature interview with Ineza is scheduled to air on Deutschlandfunk Kultur, where she will discuss her creative process, the stories behind key tracks, and how her life experiences have shaped her artistic identity. This interview offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with Ineza’s thoughts and to gain further understanding of the album’s thematic and musical nuances.

In addition to critical acclaim and upcoming media appearances, “IBUKA” has begun receiving notable radio support. Radio Bremen in Germany has added the album to its rotation, helping to bring Ineza’s fresh yet grounded sound to wider audiences and ensuring those who value innovative yet heartfelt jazz will encounter her work beyond live performances and press.

Ineza Kerschkamp’s journey to this point has been marked by an unlikely path that shapes both her narrative and musical perspective. Raised in Belgium by her adoptive mother Francine Declercq, who was a profound influence on her life and art, Ineza found solace and purpose in jazz during her late teens following significant personal losses. This album serves not only as a tribute to Francine but also as a letter to both her birth and adoptive mothers—voices that resonate through the album’s emotional core.

Musically, “IBUKA” defies easy categorization. While rooted firmly in contemporary jazz, the album draws on a wide palette of influences including neo-soul, folk, and traditional soul—genres that Ineza has absorbed and integrated into her own harmonic and rhythmic vocabulary. Tracks like “Silence” reveal neo-pop elements with compelling hooks and lyricism that stretch beyond conventional jazz songwriting without abandoning its improvisational spirit. “Walking Away” and “The Garden” are examples of how she explores complex personal themes while maintaining melodic and textural clarity informed by folk and singer-songwriter traditions.

The interplay between Ineza’s voice and Michael Lack’s saxophone across the album provides a musical dialogue that recalls classic pairings of jazz’s vocal and instrumental greats, but refracted through a contemporary and deeply personal lens. This dynamic elevates the record beyond a simple vocal album—it is a collective conversation, one that invites the listener into a richly textured world where composition and improvisation intertwine with lyric storytelling.

With this release, Ineza Kerschkamp stands out not only as an accomplished vocalist but as a composer with a clear vision and distinct voice. Her balance of emotional directness and musical sophistication suggests a trajectory that will continue to enrich the jazz landscape for years to come.

For journalists, broadcasters, and music professionals interested in exploring “IBUKA” further, we invite you to view and download the complete press kit, which contains detailed information about the album, the artist’s biography, promotional materials, and more. For access and inquiries, please contact the Jazzmedia and More media relations team.