Jazz Powerhouse Code Quartet Returns with Bold New Statement on CODE RED
Code Quartet, the powerhouse ensemble of Canadian jazz innovators, proudly announces the release of their highly anticipated second album, CODE RED. Following the critical acclaim of their 2021 debut Genealogy, the group returns with a dynamic and expressive new recording that reflects their continued evolution as one of Canada’s most compelling modern jazz collectives.
Comprised of Lex French (trumpet), Christine Jensen (alto and soprano saxophones), Adrian Vedady (bass), and Jim Doxas (drums), Code Quartet unites four of the country’s leading jazz improvisers and composers. Known for their telepathic interplay and bold musical storytelling, the group delivers an exciting and diverse soundscape on CODE RED—leaning into blues, swing, and intricate modern forms while showcasing each member’s distinct voice.
The eight-track album features original compositions by French, Jensen, and Vedady, with Doxas providing vibrant rhythmic framing throughout. The music was largely developed during a winter residency in the Laurentians in 2022, supported by the Canada Council for the Arts. In that isolated, snowbound setting, the quartet honed their creative vision, resulting in a body of work that’s rich in emotional depth and musical cohesion.
Jensen, a multi-JUNO Award winner, continues to cement her legacy as one of Canada’s leading jazz composers. Vedady and Doxas bring decades of experience performing with jazz greats such as Carla Bley, Dave Douglas, Oliver Jones, and Marc Copland. French, a rising force in Canadian jazz after an acclaimed career in New Zealand, adds a bold and lyrical voice to the ensemble.
CODE RED is a testament to the quartet’s collective strength—melding diverse musical identities into a unified sound marked by passion, precision, and freedom.
“…lively but firm interaction…complementing elaborations that soar in harmony rather than antagonism….fierce explosion of turnarounds, fanfare and subsequently rushing swing…”
— Friedrich Kunzmann, All About Jazz
Following the success of Genealogy, Code Quartet has performed at prestigious festivals including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Wellington Jazz Festival (New Zealand), and JazzAhead in Bremen, while also touring across Canada in 2022. CODE RED continues the group’s journey, offering listeners a bold new chapter in their collaborative story.
Code quartet are planning a European tour in September of 2026 with stops in London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, and Berlin. In December of 2026, they will glide down the North American Pacific coast with stops in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Santa Diego.