Axiom

Award-winning Venezuelan guitarist and composer Andrew Moreno makes a bold entrance onto the international jazz scene with his debut album Axiom, recorded with his Rotterdam-based trio and featuring internationally acclaimed saxophonists Tineke Postma and Bo Van Der Werf. A collection of personal stories exploring Moreno’s journey as an artist shaped by migration, reinvention, and a relentless pursuit of musical freedom, Axiom is set for release on May 9th, 2025.

Moreno’s distinctive compositional approach blends intricate written structures with the limitless freedom of improvisation. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of influences—including visual art, Messiaen and Schönberg’s harmonic concepts, and spontaneous melodic exploration—Axiom captures the essence of a musical journey shaped by two decades of experience across multiple continents.

For Moreno, Axiom is more than an album—it’s a personal narrative of transformation: “Axiom is telling a story about my struggles during migration, dealing with nostalgia, letting go of memories, and falling in love with music again every day of the year. This story started when I began integrating in Europe after leaving everything I owned and knew in Caracas, Venezuela. It’s the sound of a search for freedom within intricate compositions, all influenced by my musical experiences in the past 20 years—experiences gained over a variety of music, countries, and continents.”

The making of Axiom developed naturally through deep musical connections. Moreno and Ho Chin Kiat had been performing together for years, collaborating with various drummers before meeting Renfrow, whose chemistry with the group felt immediate. Their collective synergy led to collaborations with Tineke Postma, whom Moreno first worked with during his studies at Codarts in Rotterdam, and later with Bo Van Der Werf, a longtime inspiration for the guitarist. 

Cutting their teeth at leading European venues and festivals like Loft Köln, BIRD, De Doelen, Maassilo, and North Sea Round Town, the trio’s versatility and fearless approach to improvisation earned them first place at the 2024 Erasmus Jazz Prize, where the jury praised them as “an extremely dynamic, versatile, and mature band ready for the big festival stages.” The win also secured them a performance at North Sea Jazz Festival 2024, further solidifying their reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting emerging ensembles.