COURVOISIER/ROTHENBERG/
SARTORIUS “New Openings”

NED ROTHENBERG alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet and shakuhachi
SYLVIE COURVOISIER piano
JULIAN SARTORIUS drums

Sylvie Courvoisier and Ned Rothenberg have a history of highly sympathetic improvisational collaborations going back over 20 years of live performance and exemplified by their trio album with Mark Feldman, In Cahoots, on the Clean Feed Label. Each extends the musical language of his/her instrument through a highly personal vocabulary allowing them to play roles outside the standard ones (single line melodies for horns, chordal accompaniment for piano) and create a dialogue which operates on many musical planes simultaneously and may imply a wide variety of idioms without settling firmly in any of them. During the last years they decided to be part of each others’ ‘pod’ and work on a program of music with new co-written composed and improvised materials, contributions from each of their catalogues, and some of their favorite tunes by others. They added the brilliant Swiss percussionist Julian Sartorius, offering new avenues to expand their musical ideas and managed to tour in those difficult times and record an acclaimed CD ‘Lockdown’ also for Clean feed. Now, the air has cleared, and the trio will bring fresh vigor and a new book of music to the proceedings. Come celebrate the `New Openings´ with these world class improvisors.

"this is subdued, creative and beautiful music, which fits perfectly in the time we are now in, where one goes with a fervent hope that the borders will reopen, and we can move more freely between the countries. And perhaps it is best suited for a slightly "house-rich" autumn day more than a beautiful summer day. The three musicians are excellent musicians on their respective instruments. Courvoisier as the pianist who "opens up" a beautiful landscape, Rothenberg, who with the alto saxophone and clarinet spins above and below the piano, and Sartorius who with loose and free playing supports the other two in an excellent way". 

-Jan Granlie, Salt Peanuts

"For all their distinctions, the pieces reflect the special terrain of improvisers with strong European classical/Romantic/Expressionist influences, the music often characterized by dense harmonies, virtuosic execution and dramatic intensity, imbuing them with an enhanced sense of scale." 

- Stuart Broomer, NYC Jazz Record 

"convinces with sure-handed confidence and musicality without trying to engage in virtuosic showboating and it all works. The trio here functions as a fountainhead of interesting musical ideas. This is one of the most musically expressive free trio dates I've heard yet this year. Get this if you want to keep up with what is happening out there. Very recommended.” 

- Gapplegate music review