Classical Music

Frank Wingold describes his music as "entangled." Guitarist, composer and professor of jazz guitar in Osnabruck, Germany, he borrows the term from quantum mechanics. "On an artistic level it's a fascinating idea for musicians and artists," he explains. "Two or more particles can act on one another, apparently without communication and become an intertwined system." This principle runs through Frank Wingold's new album, in which he teams up with Robert Landfermann on bass and Jonas Burgwinkel on drums. The trio produces an energetic, lively polyphony in which the three instruments weave and interweave. "Each can be top, middle or bottom of the texture at the same time," says Frank. "It's always changing. That's an idea I like a lot." He is very concerned though not to make the descriptions too academic and off-putting. The listener is treated to an engrossing, highly original, multidimensional sound in this "parallel world of music." In this new album Frank Wingold together with Robert Landfermann and Jonas Burgwinkel bring together their eclectic influences and vast experience from tours, concerts and other musical formations. Their music is high density. The trio develops it's sound on different layers. The arrangements allow contrasting melodies to be played out at the same time. They are a masterpiece of composition and improvisation. Replete with textures and ornaments, the music tears apart the traditional allocation of instrumental roles. It amounts to a very personal, emotional expression of musical ideas.

Roman Rofalski gives free reign to his musical language in his new album, integrating abstract rhythmic and harmonic ideas from contemporary classical music with jazz. Sonar, the title track, complex in style is, “A song based on a constructed scale. This results in abstract melodies and harmonies, which, nevertheless form a rolling unity.” These pieces, as Roman explains, combine improvisation with careful structure: “A very large proportion of my music is composed. Nevertheless I play with Johannes and Ruben because I appreciate their personalities and what they have to offer- musically. That is why I try to create a composition that works in itself, but provides enough space for the guys, just as if we’re having a conversation.” The overall feel of the album is impetuous yet thoughtful. Roman reflects on the style: “The American way of playing jazz is very uncompromising and a bit relentless, with an intensity and aggression, which has always impressed me. On the other hand, I need people who play music in my way and who are rooted in European music. I want to do something new, but nonetheless want to entertain and not frighten the audience. I write songs that have groove and closed structures and melodies…”

Xavi Torres, the driving force behind the trio, composed all of the music on this release. It is dynamic and adventurous, with strong attention to detail and played with virtuoso precision and verve. “My composing changes a lot depending on the situation,” explains Xavi. “I wrote Hope at a specific moment in my life, it just kind of appeared by itself, out of nowhere. The feeling of hope gives you energy. I was writing during a stormy moment of my life. This track has an intimate vibe.” The trio have been invited to play concerts in leading Dutch and Spanish jazz venues, and beyond. In June 2016 they won the prestigious “Dutch Jazz Competition.” In the opinion of the jury at the final in the Bimhuis: “They had a lyrical technical and rhythmic superiority, with a huge potential, energy and interplay. Harmonically sounds very interesting, with lots of fun moments. An exciting and surprising musical history.”

So far only "jazz insiders" have heard of Karen Vrijburg, but this will certainly change with the release of her debut album, Listen to a Stranger. The Dutch singer and composer invites listeners on a journey of musical adventure: take up the invitation and you will discover an intuitive, versatile voice; profound lyrics; and first-class arrangements, which make for effortless listening.

What if one musician gets a call from another to do a background gig in an Italian restaurant. There is musical chemistry. “It was a magical evening,” says Eran Har Even, the Israeli born guitarist who had invited Sanne Huijbregts, the Dutch singer, to appear with him that day. Four years on, “EvanSanne” have brought out their third album, What If. “The super strong connection” as Sanne puts it, has produced a remarkable and highly original new album. Sanne’s impeccable diction and pitch is a perfect foil to Eran’s precise, yet richly expressive playing. They are joined by Itai Weissman on EWI- the unusual electrical wind instrument, and Jeroen Batterink on drums. “We both come from a Jazz tradition,” explains Eran, “but we don’t want to be tagged. We use a lot of external vocal and instrumental effects, for example a loop station, octavers, and delays.” Their previous album, released in 2014, won critical acclaim. All of the tracks on this release were written by Sanne Juijbregts and Eran Har Even. Just before coming together for the album, Sanne studied in Copenhagen and Berlin. Eran taught for three months in India. “We both had the chance to develop ourselves in our different ways, then we came back fresh and new. We took what we had before, the acoustic duo and we developed it into this harmonic, lyrical, storytelling, dynamic quartet with sometimes a rock band feel.” (Sanne)

A stray cat, a card trick and an unborn baby's first kick are amongst the unlikely inspirations behind Shishi's Wish, this second album from the trio Mural. The lineup is the same as on their first highly-acclaimed album, with Aki Ishiguro on guitar, Peter Schwebs on bass, and Rodrigo Recabarren on drums. The trio has been on world tour playing in Japan, New York, Chile and Germany. "Doing these trips," explains Schwebs, "has transformed our music into something new. Now we are specifically writing for each other. That was the approach for this album." The trio has been experimenting with new ideas, using overdubbing and distortion to create unusual effects and colors. "We established our sound on our debut record and through touring- and that has directly helped me tailor my composing for this band," says drummer Recabarren. The three musicians were discussing a name for the album. They were fond of the track Shishi written by Ishiguro. It became part of the album title. Shishi the stray cat had appeared in his life some years ago. Beautiful, but feisty and confrontational, she walked up the front steps of his house during a bitter New York winter, looking for shelter. She gave birth to a stillborn kitten, took months to regain her strength, then left and never returned.

Idiosyncratic, Rotterdam-based Tommy Moustache released their debut album in late 2014, challenging critics to define their ineffable brand of raw, instrumental jazz. “A schizophrenic trip drenched in jazz, funk and rock” is the consensus they seem to have reached to describe this explosive album. Determined to perpetuate the legacy of their idol- the pseudo-historical figure Tommy Moustache- the band has dedicated their eponymous debut album to this illustrious personage. After bedazzling the stages of reputable Dutch festivals like the North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazzfest, Jazz International and being voted audience choice in the 2016 edition of the Dutch Jazz Competition they have come up with a new masterpiece: “EGO,” full of daring improvisation, rock riffs, humor, mood swings, rhythmic and melodic adventures and everything else these four men, supporting appropriate facial hair, could come up with. EGO is not just some album, it is a way of life.

Out of the White, the Martin Fabricius Trio's spectacular album, is now being reissued by Berthold records. Martin Fabricius - vibraphone, Christian Hougaard - bass and Jacob Hatholt - drums are joined by guests Mathias Heise - harmonica and Neff Irizzary - guitar. According to "All About Jazz" the result is, "very refreshing and joyous, with excitement created without pyrotechnics." "The pieces were written over three of four years," says Martin Fabricius. "They are little stories, like small movies. An earlier recording of the track Now You See It, Now You Don't was used by the artist who designed the original cover. He would put on the music and draw. That inspired me to write something, a little pop song with a lyric to it, which was like the unborn drawing calling to the artist - 'please create me, please bring me out of the white'. It became a hook line which developed into an instrumental piece. A whole scene can play out in a piece. It can be small like the melancholia that accompanies the first cold wind of autumn. It can be moving like the great feeling of homecoming when you catch up with old friends. Or it can be dramatic like when I found myself on our staircase listening through flames, smoke, and screaming sirens for signs of life in my neighbor's apartment."

Early Music meets contemporary improvisation. - Awardee of the German Record Review Prize - The musical concept of Continuum consists of improvising about Early music tunes in a Jazz format which may be of some considerable age hundreds of years ago. The band staffs with Jazz musicians Dirk Piezunka (soprano and tenor sax, bass clarinet and various percussion instruments), of his brother Jens Piezunka (double bass and voice) and the guitar player Martin Flindt. Terra Mofino is the name of the album containing songs of Martin Luther, which has been released by the band Continuum in celebration of the jubilee Reformation. Terra Mofino is the Anagramm from teh word Reformation, Terra means Earth and Mofnio is more an artificial word to echo Sound and Phantasy. The trio is specialized on working and arranging early music. The old tunes may be changed in rhythm, in harmonies, the modes, the gestures, adding Intros or Interludes...all this been done with stylistic devices of various musical cultures and styles...The original willb e always indentifiable. These new arrangements are the platforms for improvisation in different styles - a mixture of Jazz and world music.