Jasper Blom Quartet - Polyphony 3 (2023) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Jasper Blom is one of the Netherlands’ most revered musicians and a leading figure on the contemporary jazz scene. He’s known as a versatile soloist, a forward-thinking composer and an expert leader, having fronted his long-time quartet of guitarist Jesse van Ruller, bassist Frans van der Hoeven and drummer Martijn Vink for over 20 years.

Together, they present Polyphony 3, the newest instalment of Blom’s Polyphony cycle, which follows the widely acclaimed 2019 Whirlwind release Polyphony. Cologne based pianist Pablo Held, joins the line-up as a guest throughout this record and saxophonist Ben van Gelder and bass clarinettist Joris Roelofs feature on one track.

Blom is known for his intelligent compositions which cover a wide range of stylistic influences and Polyphony 3 marks the latest chapter in his already esteemed career. “I like these long-term involvements,” says Blom, “because you allow something to develop. The quartet is a tight band and then because of that tightness, you can invite guests over, which highlights the polyphony from a different angle.” The album is inspired by the post-tonal tone-clock theory and Blom explains, “I actually took a couple of tone rows that inspired me melodically or harmonically and loosely based my writing on that particular hour.” The result is an absorbing and free-flowing album.

The record opens with ‘Midding’ (which is a word from John Koenig’s Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows and describes ‘the tranquil pleasure of being near a gathering, but not in it’).

TRACKLIST

1. Jasper Blom Quartet - Midding
2. Jasper Blom Quartet - Zuri
3. Jasper Blom Quartet - Jouska
4. Jasper Blom Quartet - Lumen
5. Jasper Blom Quartet - Chrysalism
6. Jasper Blom Quartet - Insomnia
7. Jasper Blom Quartet - Des Vu



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