Artur Tuznik – piano, compositions
Flavia Huarachi – flute
Simon Olderskog Albertsen – drums, percussion
This is the debut album by the acoustic chamber trio “The Space Above” – interpreting early and contemporary classical music and blending folkloric and impressionistic influences in their very own way. By combining the spontaneous and open sensibilities of jazz and the richness of colours found in classical music, this record presents an undeniably unique musical space – a new way to tell an old story.
The trio features three young and well established improvisers from the Copenhagen scene of creative music: the Bolivian flutist Flavia Huarachi, fusing her indigenous andean roots with classical training through concerts and albums with Orchestra of the Americas, the award-winning Polish pianist and composer Artur Tuznik – known for his expressive style of playing, through his successful albums as a leader and numerous cooperations on the European jazz scene, and Simon Albertsen – a Norwegian drummer, coming from punk and metal, moving into jazz and improvised music with bands like WAKO and Espen Berg Trio.
In search for the higher levels of improvisational expression, the album was recorded live. It features original compositions by pianist Artur Tuznik, pieces by Guillaume de Machaut, J. S. Bach, as well as free improvisations. Beginning with early western music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the trio sets a course towards folk music motives in “Spring Suite”, moving to a contemporary classical sound and impressionism with “The Space Above Suite” and all the way to a trance improvisation in “Tales of Shamans“. Through all this, the trio maintains its ownsound and unique approach to illustrate their way of seeing the history of music - not as an object of the past, but a lineage of musical consciousness and culture running from ancient times, up to the present day.
An unconventional instrumentation and selection of repertoire emphasizes the bands daring and innovative approach to earlier music. They are three conflicting and mutually reinforcing characters, who connect in “The Space Above” the music. This record documents their musical connection – a personal and intimate relationship built on trust and friendly challenges.
credits
released July 2, 2021
All music by Artur Tuznik, except track 1 by J.S. Bach, track 5 by Guillaume de Machaut and track 9 by Tuznik/Huarachi/Albertsen.
Recorded in 2019 and 2020 by Teis Frandsen and Henrik Holst-Hansen at DKDM, Brorsons Kirke and Lundsgaards Gods
Produced by Artur Tuznik, Flavia Huarachi & Simon Albertsen
Mixed and Mastered by Teis Frandsen
Cover photo by Malwa Grabowska
Cover design by Christian Meaas Svendsen
The album is made with support from Danish Art Foundation and Koda Kultur.
Artur Tuznik is an award-winning Polish piano player and composer based in Copenhagen, Denmark, active on European scene for jazz and improvised music.
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