David Rothenberg

A duet performance between pianist Marilyn Crispell and clarinetist David Rothenberg offers nebulous mystery and thematic, ECM-style theatrical contexts you should expect from longtime veterans of creative improvised music. The liquid piano sound of Crispell and the pithy, earthy, throat tones of Rothenberg's bass clarinet in the main shapeshift back and forth during this mercurial program of deep blue, darkest night, after-hours modern jazz.

Mukdad Rothenberg Lankow translates years of experience into music that unfolds in a sense of hope. Says Volker Lankow, "It comes from everywhere and nowhere." First meeting at David Rothenberg's "Nightingales in Berlin" project, the three musicians recorded this improvised fusion of experiences with oud, clarinet and percussion. A meditation on survival and resilience, on empathy and love. Each musician, a master of his instrument, seamlessly interweaves phrases and nuance each expressing pain and joy, expectation and relief. Wassim Mukdad is a refugee from Syria who escaped torture first to Istanbul now in Berlin. Volker Lankow worked with Medecins sans Frontiere in crisis torn zones and now with mentally ill criminals. Rothenberg, an author and philosopher, brings an exploration of the idea of sound to this trio. This is an album of music from an entire region of the world, crossing cultural barriers and tribal sides.