My Mixtape: Marius Neset’s 10 tracks he can’t get enough of
What does a saxophonist and composer love to listen to?
We’re about to find out, as celebrated musician Marius Neset shares with us ten pieces of music he can’t get enough of.
Neset emerged onto the European jazz scene in the early 2000s; initially performing as part of jazz bands JazzKamikaze and People Are Machines, as well as featuring in projects by the British jazz musician Django Bates – under whom Neset had completed his studies in Copenhagen.
In 2011 Neset went solo with the album Golden Xposion, and has been good for an album a year pretty much ever since as he continues to explore and reimagine the sound palette of contemporary jazz, as both a performer and a composer.
In the latter guise Neset has worked with a number of leading bands and orchestras, including the London Sinfonietta, with whom he first collaborated in 2016 on the sprawling orchestral pieces ‘Arches of Nature’ and ‘Snowmelt’. Neset and the Sinfonietta came together again in November 2025 in a Southbank Centre concert that included the world premiere of his latest piece, ‘Changes’.
Here’s a flavour of what makes this remarkable talent tick, as Neset shares with us this playlist of pieces he can’t get enough of, which he breaks down below.
‘Two Folk Songs’ – Pat Metheny
One of my favourite tracks. The groove, the melody, the very original sax playing from Michael Brecker and the interplay between the musicians is some of the most inspiring music I have ever heard. I love the contrast of the beautiful, simple harmonies and melody with the more post-Coltrane saxophone.
‘Smilin’ Through’ – Wayne Shorter
It’s fantastic to feel the musical conversation that is going on between the musicians in this piece, on a very high level.
‘Turangalila Symphony: II. Chant d´amour 1’ – Olivier Messiaen
Beautiful music, with quite atonal melodies, and I love the sound of the ondes Martenot.
‘Beginning’ – Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett is one of my biggest heroes, both his songwriting and his playing is from another world. It’s hard to describe, but there is something in his touch and feel, and his enormous ability to always go in some new and surprising way in his improvising, that once you hear it feels so natural.
‘Symphony No. 9: IV. Adagio’ – Gustav Mahler
A beautiful piece of music. I love how the harmonies are modulating without even thinking of it. This is my favorite recording of this piece, I love its slowness and legato, but how it is still always moving.
‘Cityscape’ – Ogerman & Brecker
Claus Ogerman wrote amazing string arrangements, and Michael Brecker plays fantastically on this track, and the whole album. His sax sounds are so fantastically matched with the strings.
‘Violin Concerto II.Aria – Hoquet – Chorale’ – György Ligeti
This moves me a lot. The melody is so strong, and orchestration is so fantastic. Very special.
‘When it Rains’ – Brad Mehldau
One of the best piano solos I ever have heard. I don’t think he is touching the piano with his left hand at all. It’s an incredible piece and incredible playing.
‘Let Me Tell You, Pt. III I Will Go out Now’ – Hans Abrahamsen
Hans Abrahamsen is one of my favorite composers today. This is some of the most amazing music that I know, with its very original orchestration, and incredible singing from Barbara Hannigan.
‘Palm Grease’ – Herbie Hancock
This classic drum intro is just genius. One of the funkiest records I have ever heard.
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