Storyville Records is proud to present Danish pianist and composer Carsten Dahl's new album, In the Middle of Nothing - to Palle Mikkelborg, on April 11, 2025. In the Middle of Nothing is a deeply personal tribute to one of Scandinavian jazz's most visionary figures. This recording is both a celebration and a meditation, honoring the legendary Palle Mikkelborg, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and spiritual guide to generations of jazz musicians. The album consists of 7 tracks, all arranged and composed by Carsten Dahl. Mikkelborg's influence spans decades, transcending borders and genres. His sound is otherworldly, his approach both intimate and expansive. He has spent a lifetime exploring the space between sound and silence - seeking, as Dahl describes, "the sublime sound of nothing in everything and the sound of everything in nothing." With In the Middle of Nothing, Carsten Dahl channels this philosophy into a deeply atmospheric and immersive listening experience. The album carries a special dimension, as Mikkelborg himself participates alongside his wife, the renowned harpist Helen Davies. Together, they join Carsten Dahl Ensemble in a sonic exploration where the boundaries between composition and improvisation dissolve, creating a musical universe that is at once ethereal and profoundly grounded. The album also features contributions from a slew of prominent names in Scandinavian jazz, including saxophonist Fredrik Lundin, bassist Nils Bo Davidsen, drummer Thomas Pasborg, a string sextet, and BBC Children's Choir. Palle Mikkelborg's trumpet playing is deeply rooted in both jazz tradition and Nordic storytelling, drawing as much from American pioneers like Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong as from the legacy of Carl Nielsen, H.C. Andersen, and Soren Kierkegaard. His music is elusive, poetic, and rich with mystery, never adhering strictly to genre but instead embracing time, space, and silence as integral elements of musical expression. Carsten Dahl, one of Denmark's most innovative and adventurous musicians, is known for his boundless imagination and fearless exploration of sound. With an unparalleled sense of improvisation, he bridges the worlds of jazz, classical, and avantgarde, constantly searching for new expressions and emotional depth. In the Middle of Nothing - to Palle Mikkelborg is a testament to the power of listening, of presence, and of music's ability to transcend the tangible world. It's an album for those who seek music that exists beyond boundaries, where jazz meets folklore, and where silence meets sound.

Danish harmonica virtuoso Mathias Heise launches his highly anticipated acoustic jazz album, titled Mouth Games on Storyville Records on October 6, 2023. The project, described by Heise as his ‘first acoustic jazz album’, is a result of years of meticulous groundwork. Mouth Games features a captivating interplay between Heise and a carefully selected group of highly talented musicians, including accomplished pianist Jacob Christoffersen, master guitarist Pelle von Bülow, acclaimed bassist Thomas Fonnesbæk and versatile drummer Jeppe Gram.

With nine carefully chosen tracks, including seven original compositions and two standards, Mouth Games presents a captivating narrative that explores classical structural conventions of jazz with flair, innovation, taste and virtuosity. Heise’s masterful harmonica playing effortlessly intertwines with the highly accomplished rhythm section. Their telepathic interplay results in memorable performances filled with muscular mature solos, deeply rooted in the language of modern jazz traditions. Heise states: “…I have always played a lot of jazz gigs, gathering tunes over a long time, finding musicians that I really connect with. I felt like now I have found the right musicians – heart to heart, we just speak to each other. In the studio there has to be a lot of interplay, spontaneous feeling and events that nobody can prepare in advance. To make this happen, I had to be on a certain level, prepared, focused. For the first time, I had the skills and maturity to make my first acoustic jazz album – not an easy task!”

Mouth Games serves as compelling evidence of Heise’s unwavering commitment to expanding the boundaries of jazz improvisation on the chromatic harmonica. This album represents a quantum leap in his musical evolution, displaying a deep immersion in the contemporary legacy of jazz rhythm, harmony and improvisation. Mathias Heise is internationally renowned for his groundbreaking approach to jazz improvisation on the chromatic harmonica, having won the 2013 Chromatic Harmonica World Championship, received the Danish Crown Prince Couple’s prestigious Stardust Award in 2016 and being awarded the Ben Webster Prize in 2017. With four critically acclaimed albums under his belt, including three albums with his fusion band Quadrillion and one in collaboration with the Danish Radio Big Band, Heise continues to push the boundaries of musical creativity and innovation.

Mouth Games gives rise to a new jazz harmonica solar system, comprising nine incomparably marvelous tracks whose significance goes beyond the sum of their parts. This profound modern jazz statement deserves the widest attention and recognition.

Always curious and always looking for new challenges, Alex Riel has been an important innovator of modern drumming in Europe. He was among the very first to record a “free” solo on his debut album in 1965 and he was a founding member of the beat-group Savage Rose, while also playing with Bill Evans, Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon and being a member of Monica Zetterlund’s quartet. From the last 20 years we know him for his work with Enrico Pieranunzi, Kenny Werner, Mads Vinding and many others. On “Our Songs”, Alex Riel brings together two musical “playmates”: The legendary bassist Bo Stief, who like Riel, belongs to the generation of Danish musicians who started their professional careers at Montmartre in the 60s, and Carsten Dahl, one of Europe’s most innovative piano players. The trio plays in balance with themselves and each other, and simply lets the music flow unhindered. So where, then, does the music flow? Basically, this is classic piano-trio jazz, and while Carsten Dahl is “in charge”, he never overshadows the trio’s creative affinity. Quite appropriately, the mood is established with, “My Song” a classic Keith Jarrett number. In many ways Riel’s playing is discreet, often poetic, so it’s fitting that Dahl has dedicated his composition for the album, “The Poet” to Alex. We are also treated to a couple of melancholic Swedish folk songs reminiscent of legendary pianist Jan Johansson, plus the trio’s own folklore-inspired “Høstdansen” (“Harvest Dance”). Along the way there are also four freshly interpreted American jazz standards, including John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” as a lyrical ballad - in direct contrast to the high-powered original version. The personal and musical friendship of the three musicians is obvious. It's playful, creative and beautiful when Alex Riel, Bo Stief and Carsten Dahl play their songs.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music