Krtego

Krtego (born 23 March 1978 in Ljubljana, Slovenia) is a contemporary jazz saxophonist and composer who has gained recognition for his synthesis of traditional Slovene folk motifs with avant‑garde improvisation. He began playing the alto saxophone at the age of eight, guided by his mother who was a music teacher. Krtego studied at the Academy of Music, University of Ljubljana, and later pursued a master's degree in Jazz Composition in Paris under the mentorship of saxophonist Jean-Yves Nouvel.

His debut album, Susepta, was released in 2004 to critical acclaim, earning the award for Best New Jazz Artist at the Slovene Music Awards. In 2009 he formed the ensemble Krtego & The Boreal Ensemble, a quartet that explores modal scales reminiscent of alpine folk tunes. The group's 2013 release Echoes of Karst won the European Jazz Prize for Best Instrumental Group.

Krtego's work has been featured in international festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, Molde International Jazz Festival, and the Queen’s House Contemporary Music Festival. He has collaborated with a range of musicians, including pianist Irena Koriška and violist Miloš Štoim. In addition to his recording career, Krtego performs regularly at the Ljubljana Slovenska Gospodarska Zveza's annual Jazz Gala and has lectured on jazz improvisation at conservatory-level institutions across Europe.

Krtego’s compositional style is noted for its blending of polyrhythmic structures, modal harmonic frameworks, and a distinct lyrical tenor line. His influence is felt among emerging jazz artists in the Central European region, who cite his commitment to cultural integration in modern improvisation.