Tord Gustavsen’s New Album "Seeing" Marks His 10th ECM Release
A Unique Blend of Jazz, Blues, Gospel, and Traditional Hymns Characterized by Restraint and Intimate Beauty
Seeing
by Tord Gustavsen Trio
Label: ECM Records
Recorded: Fall 2023 at Studios La Buissonne in Southern France
Released: October 4, 2024
Tord Gustavsen’s Seeing marks a significant milestone in his musical journey. It's his 10th release on ECM Records, which shows how much he values his ongoing collaboration with the label. This latest album builds on the success of his acclaimed trio recordings, a series that began with Changing Places in 2003, now considered a classic. On Seeing, Gustavsen returns with long-time collaborator Jarle Vespestad on drums and new trio member Steinar Raknes on double bass, exploring an intricate blend of Jazz, blues, gospel, Scandinavian folk, and church music.
The album features five original compositions by Gustavsen, as well as interpretations of two Johann Sebastian Bach chorales, a traditional Norwegian hymn, and the 19th-century English choral piece "Nearer My God, to Thee." Throughout the recording, the trio focuses on simplicity and conciseness, avoiding extended soloing to instead emphasize delicate, shape-conscious interplay. Gustavsen describes this approach as reflecting his personal evolution, seeking "the essentials in life and music" as he matures. The result is an album characterized by restraint and intimate beauty, with an interplay that draws strength from patience and subtlety, as exemplified in the closing track, "Seattle Song," born spontaneously during a sound check. Recorded at the renowned Studios La Buissonne in Southern France and produced by Manfred Eicher, Seeing offers a meditative and focused listening experience that contrasts with the trio’s more expansive live performances.
Personnel
Tord Gustavsen • piano
Steinar Raknes • bass
Jarle Vespestad • drums
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