There is always something special about a trio in jazz. The space, the possibilities for individual expression and the responsibilities for each player are very different than in a larger ensemble and on this new album from Jakob Dinesen (saxophone), Anders Christensen (bass) and Laust Sonne (drummer) we get a great insight into the subtlety and communion of three instrumentalists in harmony. Recorded live in 2020 at Det Kongelige Danske Haveselskab in Copenhagen as part of a series of jazz concerts after the Copenhagen Jazz Festival was cancelled, the trio give us a mix of self-composed tunes and interpretations of other composers pieces including an entertaining romp through Oscar and Hammerstein’s ‘I’ve Told Every Little Star’ and a superb and vital version of Sonny Rollins’ classic ‘Freedom Jazz Dance’.
By all accounts these guys are all heavyweights in the Danish Music scene with Sonne a key part of rock band D-A-D and Dinesen and Christiensen have been leading names in Danish jazz circles for many years with many releases, tours and collaborations under their belt. Coming together for this record has been an opportunity to slow down (due to Covid) and create something anew.
The opener ‘Free Eddie’ is a lovely haunting ballad dedicated to a friend Eddie Michel and has a languid summers day vibe about it and we get to witness the three players sympathetic rapport with each other. Delicate, explorative and spacious, this is a sweet introduction to the set. ‘Anouar’ is a Middle Eastern flavoured journey of a song written as a dedication to the legendary Tunisian oud player Anouar Brahem by drummer Sonne and is probably my favourite on first listen. A slow uncoiling intro with bass and percussion releases bit by bit as Dinesen’s sax tiptoes into the groove building up the pressure until they hit a plateau of squawks, crashes and trills before wandering away again whence they came. ‘Tyk Vals’ is another Dinesen penned dedication to a friend and begins as a ballad, walks through a bar fight and ends as a meditation, the band always treading that trio tightrope between restraint and endless possibilities. As mentioned before there are more responsibilities in a trio, more spaces to play in, but there are less instruments so less variation in timbre which has to be made up for by the musician’s skills and imagination. They all do it very well throughout this recording. The Charlie Haden written ‘Sandino’ is essentially a seven minute bass solo with the remaining two invited along for the ride. Anders Christensen’s playing is beautifully expressive as Sonne holds the pulse way way back and Dinesen’s moments add atmosphere and melody while never allowing the bass to leave centre stage.
The musicianship on this record is of high value and full of maturity but for me, it is the feeling of empathy between the three friends that truly shines through, a blessing indeed. Highly recommended.
Released on April records on April 16th 2021
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