Marius

Marius Neset is one of the great new tenor sax players of our age, in the tradition of Michael Brecker and Jan Garbarek. On "Pinball", Norwegian saxophone virtuoso Marius Neset and his quintet present a shimmering kaleidoscope of forms of expression and influences that delight with compositional and instrumental complexity. The album, arguably his strongest artistic statement to date, acts as a dual showcase for his gifts as an improviser and composer. At the same time, Neset sounds more mature, soulful and melodic than ever before. The quintet is joined on various tracks by guest musicians on cello, violin, flute and tambourine.

Cabaret: a song and dance or two, some jokes, hummable tunes, and perhaps some sparkles - right? OK, but know that this cabaret is informed by a breathtakingly wide-ranging musical imagination. Now you have a better idea what to expect from the latest inspired work from Norwegian saxophonist and composer Marius Neset. The players on the album “Cabaret” are the same as on Neset’s striking 2022 effort, “Happy”: Elliot Galvin (keyboards), Magnus Hjorth (piano), Conor Chaplin (electric bass) and Anton Eger (drums & percussion). “Happy” was the first time they played together as a quintet, lending it a freshness in discovery. Now, though, they are a seasoned working band: “we’ve played a lot of concerts, and the interplay is different”, recapitulates Marius Neset.

Schauplatz: Woodstock, New York, eine alte Holzkirche mit bunten Glasfenstern, die ein Aufnahmestudio beherbergt. Darin eine Handvoll Musiker, unter ihnen der Grammy-prämierte Multiinstrumentalist und Produzent Larry Campbell, außerdem Sänger, Songschreiber, Musiker und Produzent Marius Müller-Westernhagen. Er hat alte Stücke mitgebracht, die in den USA niemand kennt und in Deutschland fast jeder. Gemeinsam erkunden sie, wie sich dieses Material neu interpretieren lässt – als Musik von heute. Alle sind entspannt, es ist ein Experiment; wenn nichts so richtig daraus wird, wär’s auch okay. Aber es kommt ganz anders, ihr Zusammenspiel entfaltet eine ungeahnte Magie.

Bandleader and composer Bjørn Marius Hegge is a bassist and key part of the new brood of Norwegian jazz musicians. Apart from leading his quintet Hegge, he is part of the Kjetil Mulelid Trio (Rune Grammofon) and has released a number of albums on the Particular Recordings Collective label (including solo, trio and group projects). He won the Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannsprisen) for his band Hegge's debut recording "Vi Är Ledsna Men Du Får Inte Längre Vara Barn" in 2017. He has a bachelor degree in performing arts from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Marius Neset? This is a name you are going to hear a whole lot more. This astonishingly gifted 25 year old saxophonist/composer is releasing his second album on Edition Records and it will simply blow you away. Golden Xplosion, also the title of Marius' band, features one of the hottest quartets anywhere. Pianist Django Bates needs no introduction - the names Human Chain, Loose Tubes and Storm Chaser, his latest project, will suffice. His playing here lends the music an orchestral quality and the textures he adds even on acoustic piano are just gorgeous. Bassist Jasper Hoiby's own Edition CD Phronesis Live was one of the jazz hits of 2010.