Artist residencies at SRM give artists free studio space and time to develop musical and artistic projects.
We welcomed Cassie Kinoshi, a Berlin- and London-based alto saxophonist, composer, and bandleader best known for leading the Mercury Prize-nominated ensemble seed. (formerly SEED Ensemble). Her work moves fluidly between improvisation, electronic sound, orchestral composition and multidisciplinary performance, exploring the intersections between structure and spontaneity.
In 2023, Cassie premiered her audiovisual piece ‘gratitude’, featuring seed., turntablist NikNak, and members of the London Contemporary Orchestra, at London’s Southbank Centre. The project was released the following year by Chicago-based label International Anthem, marking another milestone in her evolving practice. As a composer, she has created works for an impressive range of ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble intercontemporain, BBC Philharmonic, Nederlands Dans Theater, Manchester Collective, Chineke! Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta.
During her residency at Studio Richter Mahr, Cassie focused on writing new music for her eleven-piece ensemble seed. Some of this work will be performed at the Royal Festival Hall in March 2026 as part of her Montreux Jazz Festival x Southbank Centre residency, the group’s first show since November 2024. Stepping away from the screen and her usual digital workflow, Cassie used her time at the studio to reconnect with a more organic creative process, sketching ideas by hand and developing new material at the piano.
