Maria Faust & The Economics „Moneyland“ (Estonia–Denmark–Norway) • Jazzkaar 2025
The acclaimed production Moneyland by the Estonian Drama Theatre will transition from the theatre hall to the Jazzkaar stage for one special evening, with the spotlight on the production’s composer, Maria Faust, and her remarkable ensemble, The Economics. Joining them will be actors Tõnis Niinemets and Karmo Nigula, who will perform vivid excerpts from court records and articles on money laundering. For Faust, it was essential to ensure that the music of Moneyland extends beyond the stage, inspiring the creation of the permanent ensemble, Maria Faust & The Economics. At Jazzkaar, they will debut a fresh album based on the music from the production.
Andrei Liimets described the musical experience of Moneyland in Eesti Ekspress as follows: “The depth of Moneyland comes from the music of composer Maria Faust, brought in from Denmark – the homeland of Danske Bank, which takes a heavy hit on stage. While the energy of the performance evokes comparisons to a rock concert, it is Faust’s jazz, filled with inventive sonic references and intricate details, that adds character, mystery, and an unforgettable rhythm to the production.”
Maria Faust’s music career began in Kuressaare, Estonia, but she has since established herself in Denmark, where her work has gained significant international recognition and acclaim. She has been honoured with multiple awards from both the Danish Music Awards and the Estonian Music Awards. In 2020, her album ORGAN was named Album of the Year by DownBeat magazine. A creative and versatile composer, instrumentalist, improviser, and bandleader, Faust has collaborated with renowned producers such as John Parish (PJ Harvey, Tracy Chapman) and Mark Howard (Bob Dylan, Neil Young). She regularly tours in Western Europe and has also performed in Asia, the Balkan Peninsula, and South America.
Lineup:
Maria Faust (Denmark/Estonia) – Saxophone/Bandleader
Mads Hyhne (Denmark) – Trombone
Oscar Andreas Haug (Norway) – Trumpet
Toomas Oskar Kahur – Tuba
Ahto Abner – Percussion
Tõnis Niinemets and Karmo Nigula – Actors
Mehis Pihla – Dramaturg
