Jasper Somsen Trio

Jasper Somsen Trio – A New Episode in Life Pt. II (2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 55:11 minutes | 941 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Challenge Records

A New Episode In Life Pt. II was recorded by Jasper Somsen (double bass), Andre Ceccarelli (drums) and Jean-Michel Pilc (piano) the day after they recorded Part I, which was completed in one day rather than two. This album contains free-form improvisation and some jazz standards and is a true accomplishment by three very experienced and talented musicians. ‘Since my repertoire was already recorded on day one, we decided to record free-form improvisations, as well as some standards from the Great American Songbook. Back at the studio, at eleven o’clock in the morning, we asked recording engineer Floren van Stichel just to let the recording run until we would say when. The complete Solar Suite and Blue Monk were recorded in one entire twenty-three minute take… Spontaneously, we dove into the next improvisation or standard and went back and forth to the recording booth listening, after a few takes. We just started to play, not mentioning any titles or preconceived ideas Within six hours, including lunch, we recorded the entire second album.
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Jasper Somsen Trio – A New Episode in Life Pt. I (2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 50:47 minutes | 866 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Challenge Records

It’s no coincidence Jasper Somsen’s 3rd (and later this year 4th) Challenge Records album features an international piano trio line up. Recent years performing and/or recording in trio with a.o. Enrico Pieranunzi, Joey Calderazzo, John Beasley, Jeff Ballard, Justin Faulkner and Andre Ceccarelli, he is much sought-after by pianists. The former New York, now Montreal-based French master pianist and composer Jean-Michel Pilc and one of Jasper’s all-time favorite French drummers Andre Ceccarelli joined him for this diptych. At their first encounter ever, this trio with Jean-Michel Pilc and Andre Ceccarelli recorded A New Episode in Life Part I & A New Episode in Life Part II in just two days. The album contains nine melodically strong instrumental compositions by double bass player, Jasper Somsen. Transparency is the key word in musical expression and form throughout the entire album, similar to songs without words.
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