Benedikt Jahnel Trio at Cornelia Street Cafe

“Equilibrium“ is the ECM debut of a German/American/Spanish trio, which, through frequent touring has grown into a remarkably tight and stylistically unique unit in recent years. Fueled by the individual styles of pianist Benedikt Jahnel (whose approach is characterized by a heightened interest in rhythmic subdivisions) and drummer Owen Howard (who, in Jahnel’s words, “treats and perceives rhythmic phrases as melodic lines without fixed micro units”), and bassist Antonio Miguel (often the musical mediator) the group’s sound draws subtly from classical influences as well as contemporary jazz concepts of groove and form....

read more

“Equilibrium“ is the ECM debut of a German/American/Spanish trio, which, through frequent touring has grown into a remarkably tight and stylistically unique unit in recent years. Fueled by the individual styles of pianist Benedikt Jahnel (whose approach is characterized by a heightened interest in rhythmic subdivisions) and drummer Owen Howard (who, in Jahnel’s words, “treats and perceives rhythmic phrases as melodic lines without fixed micro units”), and bassist Antonio Miguel (often the musical mediator) the group’s sound draws subtly from classical influences as well as contemporary jazz concepts of groove and form.

Produced by Manfred Eicher at Radio Televisione Svizzera in Lugano the seven tracks on “Equilibrium”, all Jahnel original compositions, strike a unique and delicate balance between composed parts and improvisation or group improvisation. The album’s title refers to certain analogies, (Jahnel, who in his “second life” works as researcher in mathematics at Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany), found in his artistic and in his scientific work. Analogies related to questions of balance.

“... shines with crystal clarity and pure unsentimental emotion. The TRIO travels in new ways far beyond clichés into a luminous space of musical freedom. (Wolfgang Muthspiel)

show less