‘Elegy’ emerged as the result of a fantastic first meeting of three musicians who share their love of playing music with no boundaries, but with enthusiasm, drive and a sense of humour. Bass player, composer and bandleader Mats Eilertsen (b. 1975) is a busy man these days. He has toured extensively with the Tord Gustavsen Ensemble for the past year, played at festivals all over Norway with his own ‘Radio Yonder’ (HUBROCD2501) quartet, and found time to perform at concerts in Europe and South America with artists such as Wolfert Brederode and Yuri Honing. On ‘Elegy’, his fifth album in his own name, he presents a brand new piano trio. The exciting pianist Harmen Fraanje (b. 1976 in Roosendaal, the Netherlands) plays in several of the most popular Dutch jazz groups, and is beginning to make a solid name for himself internationally. The inventive drummer Thomas Strønen (b. 1972) has a long history together with Mats Eilertsen from groups such as the Maria Kannegaard Trio, FOOD, Parish and the Anders Aarum Trio, and their chemistry is evident. It is difficult to spot the dividing line between composed material and free improvisation here, and the sparks really fly when the three musicians get going. Their scope is broad, ranging from lyrical passages to improvised sections, but a spirit of playfulness permeates the album.
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‘Elegy’ emerged as the result of a fantastic first meeting of three musicians who share their love of playing music with no boundaries, but with enthusiasm, drive and a sense of humour.
New trio
On ‘Elegy’, his fifth album in his own name, he presents a brand new piano trio. The exciting pianist Harmen Fraanje (b. 1976 in Roosendaal, the Netherlands) plays in several of the most popular Dutch jazz groups, and is beginning to make a solid name for himself internationally. His piano style combines the lyrical, the virtuoso and the intuitive in a masterly way. There is no doubt about the contagious enthusiasm Harmen’s playing generates.
The inventive drummer Thomas Strønen (b. 1972) has a long history together with Mats Eilertsen from groups such as the Maria Kannegaard Trio, FOOD, Parish and the Anders Aarum Trio, and their chemistry is evident.
It is difficult to spot the dividing line between composed material and free improvisation here, and the sparks really fly when the three musicians get going. Their scope is broad, ranging from lyrical passages to improvised sections, but a spirit of playfulness permeates the album. ‘Elegy’ was recorded at Galleri Festiviteten, Eidsvoll Verk, in October 2009, and was mixed by Jan Erik Kongshaug at Rainbow Studios.
