Traeben at Jazzin' Hague Festival at World Forum

Formed in 2009, Træben is an international jazz quartet consisting of saxophonist Søren Ballegaard, guitarist Jens Larsen, bassist Olaf Meijer, and drummer Haye Jellema. Together they form a group with a new take on song-based improvisation.

On their second album “Push”. Træben gives the interpretation of what the modern jazz composition could be. Reinventing the form so that there is not only a head and some changes to solo over, but instead a strong melodic statement that sets a mood for the song and solos to explore and extend upon. This is a group performance, not a rhythm section and a soloist but a celebration of the magical interplay between experienced performers. ...

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Formed in 2009, Træben is an international jazz quartet consisting of saxophonist Søren Ballegaard, guitarist Jens Larsen, bassist Olaf Meijer, and drummer Haye Jellema. Together they form a group with a new take on song-based improvisation.

On their second album “Push”. Træben gives the interpretation of what the modern jazz composition could be. Reinventing the form so that there is not only a head and some changes to solo over, but instead a strong melodic statement that sets a mood for the song and solos to explore and extend upon. This is a group performance, not a rhythm section and a soloist but a celebration of the magical interplay between experienced performers.
The songs have extended classically inspired forms with room for acapella interludes and often make use of vamps that build up tension and intensity by insisting in their repetition.

This is the way that Træben uses the material to fuel a group effort in which everybody has a role and the space to contribute in the performance of the song. The compositions themselves make use of the melodious tradition of the Scandinavian folk music but also lends grooves and harmony from everything from world music to rock. As Bert Jansma put it "“Crisp when in its swinging gear, making one’s heart melt in its ballads.“"

The instrumentation of the piano-less quartet lends itself well to the inspirations and colors of the more guitar orientated styles African, Latin and Rock music.

Making the mix of timbres of these styles with jazz emerge in an organic and fresh sounding whole.

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