This new b�records album sees the unclassifiable Jocelyn Mienniel (composer) and Fiona Monbet (musical director) collaborate on a resolutely hybrid reinterpretation of Gustav Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, created during a residency at the Royaumont Foundation. Based on an original text by Olivier Cadiot, the creation combines a chamber orchestra, a jazz ensemble, traditional Chinese instruments, electronic music, a children's choir, and vocals, drawing on improvisation and literary cut-up techniques. This transfiguration reveals Das Lied von der Erde as a resolutely modern work, whose humanism unfolds with renewed intensity.

Peter Beets' latest recording announces itself with unbridled authority: a vivid, hard-swinging statement, powered by a first-rate horn section anchored by three standout American voices of the new jazz vanguard, and propelled by a rhythm section of luminaries including Reuben Rogers and Willie Jones III-artists whose resumes include collaborations with legends such as Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, and Roy Hargrove. Under Beets' assured direction, his New York Sextet shapes each work with commanding finesse. In reimagining a canon of Spanish compositions, Beets refracts Spain's musical heritage through a fresh and strikingly modern jazz lens. The album surges with vitality, it's swing taut and irresistible. While echoes of the flamenco idiom surface throughout, they are situated within a broader, architecturally ambitious musical landscape built upon works by Spain's most esteemed composers-Albeniz, de Falla, and Granados. These enduring and powerfully expressive pieces hold their own beside the legacies of Chopin, Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky-composers whose works Beets has similarly reimagined in his inimitable style-yet remain unmistakably and proudly Spanish. Beets and his ensemble weave these traditions into a seamless dialogue with uncompromising, straight-ahead jazz, executed at the highest artistic level. The result is a singular fusion of virtuosity, cultural depth, and ensemble brilliance.� Once again, pure Peter Beets.

Strangers is pianist Alexander Wienand's bold new statement - a celebration of curiosity, discovery, and the creative spark that emerges when artists step into the unknown together. The album's concept grew from a simple but powerful idea: that unfamiliarity can be one of the greatest sources of inspiration. Whether it's an untested rhythm, a new musical partner, or an idea outside of music entirely, these moments of uncertainty challenge musicians to respond - and it is within these reactions that true creativity is born. The title track Strangers embodies this philosophy. Two contrasting themes evolve through improvisation until they merge into a single, unified musical narrative - a metaphor for encounter, tension, and transformation.

First Flight marks the debut album of saxophonist and composer George Kontomichalis. Rooted in jazz traditions like post-bop, hard bop, and modal jazz, it blends classic influences with modern improvisation and introspection. The album reflects the collective creativity of the ensemble, highlighting interplay, rhythm, and spontaneous exploration. With six original compositions and one standard, the record serves as a personal journey and an invitation for listeners to experience both energy and reflection

When Josefine entered her second half-century in 2021 (sometimes it's permissible to mention the age of a lady...), Norrbotten Big Band decided to celebrate her achievements by commissioning six big band pieces from composers who, at different times and on different occasions, have been connected with Josefine. We are very happy with the result and confident that the sometimes challenging nature of the music will create a portrait of Josefine with all her magnificence on full display.

A une epoque ou la plupart des saxophonistes se coulaient dans l'ombre de Charlie Parker, Lee Konitz, fort de ses convictions, a su se tenir a distance et, irresistiblement, ouvrir les portes d'un univers musical d'une grande modernite en imposant une sonorite lisse et une grande intelligence melodique. Jean-Paul RICARD At a time when most saxophone players were slipping into Charlie Parker's shadows, Lee Konitz - a man of conviction - kept his distance and slowly, irresistibly, opened up the doors to a new universe of music: it was grand and modern, and Konitz imposed upon it a sound that had smoothness and showed great intelligence in it's melody. Jean-Paul RICARD CD 1 (1947-1954) : CLAUDE THORNHILL & HIS ORCHESTRA (Columbia 1947) : YARDBIRD SUITE - LEE KONITZ with LENNIE TRISTANO (Prestige 1949) : SUBCONSCIOUS-LEE - LENNIE TRISTANO SEXTET (Capitol 1949) : WOW - MARIONETTE - DIGRESSION - INTUITION - LEE KONITZ with LENNIE TRISTANO (Prestige 1949) : MARSHMALLOW - SOUND-LEE - MILES DAVIS & HIS ORCHESTRA (Capitol 1950) : MOON DREAMS - LEE KONITZ GROUPS (Prestige 1950) : REBECCA - YOU GO TO MY HEAD - ICE CREAM KONITZ - PALO ALTO - LEE KONITZ SEXTET (Prestige 1951) : YESTERDAYS - HI BECK - LEE KONITZ/BILLY BAUER DUO (Prestige 1951) : DUET FOR SAXOPHONE AND GUITAR - LEE KONITZ with GERRY MULLIGAN (Pacific Jazz 1953) : LADY BE GOOD - LOVER MAN - LEE KONITZ (Vogue 1953) : I'LL REMEMBER APRIL - LEE KONITZ QUARTET (Storyville 1954) : ABLUTION. CD2 (1954-1961) : STAN KENTON & HIS ORCHESTRA (Capitol 1954) - IN A HIGHER VEIN - LEE KONITZ QUARTETS (Storyville 1954) - NURSERY RHYME - FOOLIN' MYSELF - LENNIE TRISTANO QUARTET (Atlantic 1955) : THESE FOOLISH THINGS - LEE KONITZ with WARNE MARSH (Atlantic 1955) : BACKGROUND MUSIC - LEE KONITZ (Atlantic 1956) : ALL OF ME - LEE KONITZ QUINTET (Atlantic 1957) : FOOLIN' MYSELF - LEE KONITZ QUINTET (Verve 1957) : BILLIE'S BOUNCE - LEE KONITZ QUARTET (Verve 1957) : THE NEARNESS OF YOU - GERRY MULLIGAN (Pacific Jazz 1957) : DISK JOCKEY JUMP - LEE KONITZ with STRINGS (Verve 1958) : WHAT'S NEW? - LEE KONITZ meets JIMMY GIUFFRE (Verve 1959) : CORK 'N' RIB - LEE KONITZ (Verve 1959) : YOU DON't KNOW WHAT LOVE IS - LEE KONITZ (Verve 1961) : I REMEMBER YOU. DIRECTION COLLECTION : ALAIN GERBER, TEXTE : JEAN-PAUL RICARD, PRODUCTION DeLeGUeE : JEAN BUZELIN

When Josefine entered her second half-century in 2021 (sometimes it's permissible to mention the age of a lady...), Norrbotten Big Band decided to celebrate her achievements by commissioning six big band pieces from composers who, at different times and on different occasions, have been connected with Josefine. We are very happy with the result and confident that the sometimes challenging nature of the music will create a portrait of Josefine with all her magnificence on full display.

In Good Company marks the powerful debut of Argentine alto saxophonist Tomás Martínez on SteepleChase in June 2026. At just 26 Martínez brings a rich tone, agile bebop phrasing, and a deep command of jazz tradition. The album features two standout groups: a New York quartet with Michael Weiss, David Wong, and Kenny Washington, recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio, and a vibrant trio session from Buenos Aires with Paul Sikivie and Teo Pérez. Mixing classics, bebop lines and originals, Martínez honors mentors like Charlie Parker, Barry Harris, and Charles McPherson while asserting a voice entirely his own. A fresh, swinging new presence on the international jazz scene. Martínez has performed at major venues across Argentina and Europe, and was named a Distinguished Personality and Cultural Ambassador of his hometown. He is also an active educator, teaching jazz saxophone at the college level and leading workshops and masterclasses. Currently based between Buenos Aires and New York, he continues to perform, record, and teach.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Gustav Davidsson at Studio Glasfageln Cover photos by Fabian Rosenberg

Two of the most distinctive voices in Dutch jazz join forces: harmonica virtuoso Hermine Deurloo and guitarist Anton Goudsmit. What begins as a playful exchange between lyricism and groove unfolds into a concert full of unexpected twists, inventive improvisations, and idiosyncratic compositions-plus recognizable covers. Rooted in Amsterdam's jazz scene, they combine melodic power with unpredictable energy. The warm, storytelling sound of Hermine's harmonica is the perfect counterpoint to Anton's unstoppable guitar playing: a creative whirlwind with irresistible groove, humor, and a unique musical signature. Together they take you on a ride filled with stories, rhythm, playfulness, and emotion-sometimes whisper-soft, then exuberant and explosive. Anton Goudsmit (guitar/compositions) enchants with inventiveness, infectious joy, and a groove that immediately draws the audience in. Hermine Deurloo is praised for her warm, lyrical tone and virtuosic, melodic storytelling style. She has performed with a wide range of artists-from Steve Gadd and Mike Bodde to the Metropole Orchestra-and refuses to be boxed into a single genre.

Almost two years after the group's first album, What The Moment Brings, the follow-up is here. A few minutes into the first song, it becomes obvious why I fell in love with this music in the first place: the beautiful compositions and this outstanding group of musicians. The two strong and lyrical leaders are complemented by the superb rhythm section of Niklas Fernqvist, with his elegant tone, and Paul Svanberg, with his undeniable swing.

Peter Beets' latest recording announces itself with unbridled authority: a vivid, hard-swinging statement, powered by a first-rate horn section anchored by three standout American voices of the new jazz vanguard, and propelled by a rhythm section of luminaries including Reuben Rogers and Willie Jones III-artists whose r�sum�s include collaborations with legends such as Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, and Roy Hargrove. Under Beets' assured direction, his New York Sextet shapes each work with commanding finesse. In reimagining a canon of Spanish compositions, Beets refracts Spain's musical heritage through a fresh and strikingly modern jazz lens. The album surges with vitality, it's swing taut and irresistible. While echoes of the flamenco idiom surface throughout, they are situated within a broader, architecturally ambitious musical landscape built upon works by Spain's most esteemed composers-Alb�niz, de Falla, and Granados. These enduring and powerfully expressive pieces hold their own beside the legacies of Chopin, Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky-composers whose works Beets has similarly reimagined in his inimitable style-yet remain unmistakably and proudly Spanish. Beets and his ensemble weave these traditions into a seamless dialogue with uncompromising, straight-ahead jazz, executed at the highest artistic level. The result is a singular fusion of virtuosity, cultural depth, and ensemble brilliance. Once again, pure Peter Beets.

Jimmy Gourley (1926-2008) est un guitar hero americain qui a faconne l'histoire du jazz, notamment a Paris ou il s'installe en 1951. Cette anthologie evenement qui parait avec sa biographie officielle, reunit les titres les plus emblematiques de l'oeuvre du guitariste, don't certains jamais reedites. Que ce soit avec les champions americains ou francais dans l'intimite d'un duo pere-fils avec Sean Gourley, voici une plongee dans l'oeuvre enregistree de celui don't les cordes de jazz ont fait vibrer la capitale pendant plus d'un demi-siecle. Augustin BONDOUX et Patrick FReMEAUX Born in 1926, American musician Jimmy Gourley was an early "guitar hero" who shaped the history of jazz, particularly in France where he settled in 1951. This anthology, which appears together with his official biography, is a major event that brings together the guitarist's most emblematic recordings, including tracks that have never been released until now. Before he passed away aged 82, Gourley played not only with American stars but also in more intimate surroundings, such as his duo with son Sean Gourley. This set gives real insight into how this great guitarist's six strings had the French capital vibrating for half a century. Augustin BONDOUX / Patrick FReMEAUX CD1-1951-1954 : HENRI RENAUD : A NEW DATE - VENEZ DONC CHEZ MOI - PARIS JE T'AIME - BOBBY JASPAR : TOUT BLEU, TOUT BLEU - THE END OF A LOVE AFFAIR - LEE KONITZ : YOUNG LEE - LOST HENRI - CLIFFORD BROWN : ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE - GOOFIN' WITH ME - HENRI RENAUD/JIMMY GOURLEY : NOT REALLY THE BLUES - WHO CARES? - MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY - IT'S DE-LOVELY - GIGI GRYCE/CLIFFORD BROWN : BABY - HENRI RENAUD/BOBBY JASPAR : CAPRI - SCHABOZZ - EXPANSION - ZOOT SIMS : CALL IT ANYTHING - ZOOT'S SUITE - THE THIRD HERDSMEN : EMBARKATION. CD2-1954-1961 : BOB BROOKMEYER : STEEPLE CHASE - ROY HAYNES : MINOR ENCAMP - RED ROSE - BUDDY BANKS : BAG'S GROOVE - YESTERDAYS - SANDY MOSSE/EDDIE BAKER : STRAIGHT LIFE - LET'S GO - CHUBBY JACKSON BIG BAND : FLYIN' THE COOP - LESTER YOUNG : THREE LITTLE WORDS - NEW D.B. BLUES - LOU BENNETT : AMEN - BROTHER DANIEL - WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES - (PARIS BLUES) LOUIS ARMSTRONG : BATTLE ROYAL - (PARIS BLUES) JIMMY GOURLEY : GUITAR AMOUR - JIMMY GOURLEY : FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE - THREE LITTLE WORDS. CD3-1972-2002 : JIMMY GOURLEY + RENe URTREGER : TAFIRA ALTA - JIMMY GOURLEY + EDDY LOUISS : FREEDOM JAZZ DANCE - JIMMY GOURLEY + TEXIER/HUMAIR/LUBAT : GRAFFITTI - COMON' OVAH - MISS MAGIC - JIMMY GOURLEY : REPETITION - JIMMY GOURLEY + STAN GETZ : EMBRACEABLE YOU - JIMMY GOURLEY : MONTAGNE MADNESS - SHAMEFUL ROGER - LADYBIRD - JACK DIeVAL : S.F.P. BLUES - JIMMY GOURLEY : OUR DELIGHT - JIMMY GOURLEY + ANDRe VILLeGER : MAYBE YOU'LL BE THERE - JIMMY & SEAN GOURLEY : BILOXY BLUES WALK - JIMMY GOURLEY : BY MYSELF. DIRECTION ARTISTIQUE : JEAN BUZELIN ET JEAN-PAUL RICARD

First Impression is the debut album by trumpeter and composer D!ma Loginov, a deeply personal statement shaped by memory, migration, and identity. Rooted in modern jazz and enriched with elements of Kazakh folk music, the album reflects Loginov's journey from his childhood in Kazakhstan to his artistic life in Amsterdam. Across eight tracks, he blends soulful melodies, bold improvisation, and spiritual intensity, creating music that speaks as much through feeling as through sound. The album draws inspiration from wide landscapes, first love, and the freedom found in improvisation. Traditional influences surface most clearly in Steppe Sons and a striking modal-jazz reimagining of the Kazakh folk song Yapurai, while moments of intimacy emerge in the a cappella trumpet solo Luiza and the lyrical title track First Impression, featuring vocalist Carolina Gemmell. Recorded with a close-knit group of international musicians, many of whom Loginov met after moving to the Netherlands, First Impression captures a sense of trust, vulnerability, and shared energy. It is an introduction not only to an emerging artistic voice, but to the emotional world that shapes it.

Composer and guitarist Marcus Klossek, long recognized as a distinctive voice on the Fender Telecaster, presents Blink 7, the latest chapter in a band whose sound has evolved steadily from his long-running Electric Trio. Rooted in clarity, dynamic contrast, and a deep sense of interaction, the project reflects more than fifteen years of close musical collaboration. At the core of the ensemble are Carsten Hein on bass and Derek Scherzer on drums, longtime partners with whom Klossek has refined a highly responsive and nuanced group language. With Blink 6, this foundation expanded into a sextet, joined by three prominent figures from Berlin's jazz scene: Nikolaus Neuser, Ignaz Dinne (tenor saxophone), and Anke Lucks. The enlarged group quickly developed a strong collective identity, equally at ease with precise structure and open improvisation. Blink 7 continues this collaboration and introduces a new and distinctive voice: Korean vocalist Chamin. Appearing on three tracks-Go Not, Another One Beyond, and Unexpected Return-she sings and partially speaks Korean lyrics written by herself. Her voice adds a new layer of texture and expression, expanding the ensemble's tonal range and interacting organically with the instrumental voices rather than standing apart from them. In contrast to Blink 6, which was composed before the musicians were chosen, all eight compositions on Blink 7 were written specifically for this lineup. Klossek shaped each piece around the individual strengths and musical personalities of the players. "I knew what everyone could bring to the music," he explains. "That allowed me to write more precisely for the sound of the band." The result is music that unites clear compositional intent with the intuitive understanding that comes from long-standing collaboration. The album opens with Violet Shift, a rhythmically intricate piece built from interlocking patterns that suggest mechanical precision while maintaining an organic flow. Go Not begins with Chamin's whispered voice, creating an atmosphere of quiet tension and ambiguity. Ephyra (Third Dance) unfolds with a restrained, melancholic beauty, while Half Past Never features one of Klossek's most unrestrained guitar solos-raw, spontaneous, and unpredictable. On Another One Beyond, Chamin's voice further broadens the ensemble's harmonic space, while Begin Again, Swift highlights the band's agility, moving fluidly between tightly woven rhythms and open, airy phrasing. Glass Bridges introduces otherworldly sounds from Carsten Hein, blending acoustic bass with electronic elements. The closing track, Unexpected Return, brings the album to an energetic conclusion, driven by rhythmic momentum as Chamin's voice merges seamlessly with the horn section. Blink 7 captures a band at a mature and confident stage, balancing detailed composition with freedom and collective improvisation-music shaped as much by individual voices as by the shared identity they have built together.

Her first inspiration was Charlotte Bienaime�'s 'Un podcast a' soi', which discusses fundamental questions of gender and feminism. "More often than not in history, 'Anonymous' was a woman"-this sentence by Virginia Woolf, epigraph to the famous radio podcast, has found an echo in Julie Campiche. Giving a voice to women, but in a distinct way: this is the common thread running through the album. Rather than a feminist manifesto, UNSPOKEN seeks to celebrate feminine strength, nourished by commitment and openness. She addresses the fragile balance of women in shadow and light of society. "Female strength is what makes the world go round. 80% of household chores are done by women for free and anonymously. I want to celebrate exceptional women, but also give a place to this everyday strength." Among the figures who inspire her and whose voices and actions she evokes are the Swiss artist and prostitute Grise�lidis Re�al, or Las Patronas, the Mexican guardian angels who throw food and water to those who have decided to migrate and illegally board freight trains bound for the USA.

Chaque album du trio Kuhn/Humair/Jenny-Clark est une promesse de perfection. Enregistre au cours de la tournee internationale 1992-1993, ce live est un temoin inespere de l'apogee de ce trio legendaire et de l'alchimie incandescente qui unissait ces trois maitres. La virtuosite est organique, la puissance inalterable et l'elegance regne en majeste. L'age d'or du jazz en Europe. Augustin BONDOUX / Patrick FReMEAUX Each album by the trio Kuhn/Humair/Jenny-Clark already promises perfection. And this unexpected live recording made in the course of an international tour in 1992-1993 proves at least three things: the trio was at it's zenith; it had already become a legend; and the alchemy that bound these three masters together was incandescent. Here their virtuosity is no less than organic, the trio's power is unshakeable, and the elegance that reigns throughout is majestic. This is a demonstration of the Golden Age of jazz in Europe. Augustin Bondoux / Patrick Fremeaux INDIA (JOHN COLTRANE) - HEAVY HANGING (Joachim Kuhn) - GUYLeNE (DANIEL HUMAIR / Joachim Kuhn) - FROM TIME TO TIME FREE (DANIEL HUMAIR / Joachim Kuhn) - SUMMERTIME (GEORGES GERSHWIN). Joachim Kuhn PIANO - DANIEL HUMAIR DRUMS - JEAN-FRANcOIS JENNY-CLARK BASS

Horace Parlan’s Glad I Found You is his second quintet date for SteepleChase which captures a rare meeting of inspired musicians at a peak moment, recorded in Copenhagen with Thad Jones — making a vibrant late career comeback — and the always inventive Eddie Harris. Parlan leads the quintet full of warmth, swing and spontaneous interplay. The album blends Parlan’s own tunes, soulful obscurities, and modern jazz classics like “Afternoon in Paris,” all delivered with the rhythmic looseness and deep blues feeling that defined his style. This new 24bit/96kHz remaster brings fresh clarity to one of Parlan’s most spirited SteepleChase sessions, revealing the nuance and energy of a group of masters enjoying every moment together. “...it’s another fine addition to Parlan’s discography.” (Jazz Journal)

The Peter Lehel Quartet, around the well-known German saxophonist Peter Lehel, offers a lively mixture of tradition and innovation that never fails to delight audiences with it's great artistry and exploration of musical boundaries. The new program, Paul Auster Jazz, is inspired by characters of the great writer Paul Auster from New York City.

For 15 years now, Stoomboot has been drifting through the corridors of Flemish culture, with a half-smile and a tear, watching the world go by. Early in his career, that gaze turned inward: a romantic young man searching for love. On Stoomboot (2014), he became a storyteller; a poet singing about women he couldn't have. He collaborated with Kommil Foo and was even nominated for a MIA Award. With Storm (2016), the melancholic journey continued. But something changed: he met the love of his life. His world grew. On Zwarte doos (2018), the longing for love turned into living with it. The outside world slowly seeped into his songs - reflections of the Brussels attacks, Trump's first presidency, and the chaos of the times. Meanwhile, Niels Boutsen (that's the man behind the boat) graduated as a historian and started teaching. There, the idea for Omdat we naar de zee stromen (2020) took shape: a concept album about time and how it ticks differently for everyone. For his students. For his wife, who was battling burnout. For his grandparents, whom he rarely visited. Stoomboot wanted to go beyond music, creating a stage performance around the same theme, including storytelling, songs, and live charcoal art by Wide Vercnocke, drawn right there on stage. Before he knew it, the ten-year anniversary of Stoomboot was approaching. Time to look back, the best way he knows how: with a guitar and a story. 10 jaar Stoomboot (2021) was recorded live at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels. Over that decade, he also wandered off the main path a few times, paying tribute to the French chanson that inspired him (Mr. Bateau, 2019), blending poetry and jazz in Zandland (2019), releasing Ze leest zo mooi verkeer (2022) with Raymond van het Groenewoud, and touring with his wife in Het is zoeken (2024), a tender and funny show about early parenthood. After ten years on stage, Niels found himself wondering: "What now?" Another record? Absolutely. He picked up the phone and called Tuur Florizoone (accordion) and Christophe Devisscher, two musicians he'd admired for years, watching them light up stages all over the country. "Want to make something together?" he asked. They did. The result is Een heel leven (2026), another concept album, this time about the unpredictable paths life takes. The title says it all: a musical stroll through what Niels's life could have been, but never was. Sometimes the choices that don't feel like choices end up shaping everything. The album was recorded live in the studio. Just three musicians in a room, telling a story. Put it on, and they're right there with you.

Human Vibe is the sound of three musicians whose shared understanding runs deeper than geography. Pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff, bassist Jasper Somsen, and drummer Carsten Lindholm come from three different countries, yet their friendship and musical intuition make them feel like lifelong companions. In this trio, a glance, a breath, or a single musical gesture is enough to set the group into fluid, unified motion. A Trio Shaped by Conversation and Connection For their second album together, the trio reunited in the Netherlands, where long conversations over lunches and dinners flowed directly into their creative process. Out of these moments came the title Human Vibe-a phrase that perfectly captures the essence of their collaboration: three individuals, each with his own artistic pulse, meeting in a shared space where honesty, curiosity, and joy guide the music. Their performances embody the same spirit. They speak openly with audiences, share stories, and create an environment where listeners feel personally connected to the unfolding music. The album was recorded at Studio 2 in Hilversum, the Netherlands' oldest radio studio and a place rich with musical history. Photographs of legendary jazz artists still hang on the walls, creating an atmosphere steeped in the past. Hoff, Somsen, and Lindholm recorded exactly the way they play live: together in a single room, in full view of one another. The result is an album that captures not only the music, but the trio's closeness and immediacy.

This album is a collection of musical portraits - intimate sketches shaped by memory, place, and human connection. It reflects the soundscape of Alexander Ruess' upbringing near the Baltic Sea, the people who accompanied him along the way, and the impressions gathered through travel and encounter. At it's core, the music is deeply personal. Fur Opa is dedicated to Ruess' grandfather, who never played an instrument yet supported his musical journey unconditionally, driving him to countless lessons and proudly claiming responsibility for his grandson's talent. Sangen Fra Havet is an homage to the Baltic Sea and the Danish coastline, whose quiet vastness and shifting moods echo throughout the record. Cornflower draws inspiration from the vivid blue flower that grew at the edges of rural fields - a favorite of Ruess' maternal grandfather - symbolizing memory, landscape, and rootedness. The album balances composition and spontaneity. Interlude, the only fully improvised piece, captures the natural interplay between guitar, double bass, and drums, allowing the music's energy to unfold organically in the moment. Throughout the record, lyrical melodies meet open forms, creating space for both narrative clarity and collective expression. Recorded in Berlin with longtime collaborators Luca Curcio and Sebastian Merk, the trio's sound is defined by trust, subtle interaction, and shared musical intuition. A special highlight is the appearance of trombonist Nils Landgren on Fur Opa, whose music was a formative influence on Ruess' childhood and whose presence adds a distinctive warmth and depth to the album. Ultimately, this record is a dedication - to family, mentors, friends, and places that shape who we become. It is an expression of gratitude and belonging, rendered through sound

John McNeil (March 23, 1948 – September 27, 2024) launched his professional career with debut LP "Embarkation” SCS 1099) on SteepleChase in 1978 a few hours before he turned 30. Age 30 was his goal to release his first and he remarked “I just made it!” John McNeil’s There Is No Greater Love (SCCD 34007) unveils a previously unheard 1983 Odense, Denmark session, capturing the trumpeter at a creative peak during his extensive Scandinavian tour. Joined by Danish masters Jesper Lundgaard (bass) and Aage Tanggaard (drums), McNeil delivers a warm, incisive set blending standards, bebop classics, and his own “Out”. His bright, agile phrasing — long praised for its roots in Miles, Hubbard, and the Parker lineage—meets a deeply swinging Nordic rhythm team. This newly discovered trio date highlights McNeil’s lyrical clarity, spontaneous invention, and enduring place in the modern jazz tradition.

Saxophonist Ruth Sabadino's new album celebrates life in all it's colors and nuances. Funky jazz with depth and drive - dynamic, energetic, sparkling with improvisation and an organic band sound. In catchy songs and a healthy dose of jazz, funk, and soul, she and her band tell stories of highs and lows, joie de vivre, and authentic moments. A sound that touches and moves with it's deep bass clarinet, crisp tenor sax, and fine vocals - full of warmth, depth, and drive. Close at her side is a top-class band: Werner Acker, Kurt Holzkamper, and Christoph Sabadino.

Echoes of the Unknown is the debut album by German drummer and composer David Giesel-a modern jazz statement built on trust, attentive interplay, and the courage to let music unfold in real time. Recorded live as a band in one room at Jazzcampus Studio Basel (Jan 9-10, 2026) and co-produced with mentor Paulo Almeida, the album treats uncertainty as fuel: play first, understand later-an approach that turns instinct into form and risk into clarity. Leading an international quartet with Albin Ormegard, Moritz Langmaier (piano/keys) and Thomas Fuller, Giesel shapes a sound world where groove and modern harmony meet openness and space-drawing on contemporary jazz aesthetics while absorbing subtle rock/indie edges. Most pieces are Giesel originals, complemented by one composition each from Ormegard and Langmaier, reflecting the group's shared voice. At the album's center, "Moods" opens a reflective window that includes spoken word by Dae Bryant, anchoring the record's human, hopeful core. The result is a vibrant, deeply personal snapshot: four musicians listening hard, moving as one, and inviting the listener into the mystery-where familiarity meets discovery.