Eik Trio - Trust (CD)

Release Date: 06/09/23

10 jazz standards made famous by Sinatra ao in fresh new versions with marvellous vocal from Elisabeth Karsten. feat, Bendik Hofseth & N.P. Molvær

In solitude with jazz standards
What is a jazz standard, when the brass band exits the stage left, spotlights are switched off, familiar arrangements are muted, and all a musical arranger is left with is, the melody?
From that moment onwards, it`s about letting go and giving in.
Subtly the musical arranger, sitting there alone in front of a grand piano, senses the necessity of having to redress each melody he wants to play with dignity, but how?
No comfort zones can be leaned against, no shortcuts or established skills be used. Previously integrated studies on how to arrange a jazz standard are prohibited.
Gradually he acknowledges, that the presence of an almost personified melody, would see right through any tempting stunt. It`s just him and the melody.
He must earn the melody”s trust, but just as important trust himself.

Time passes
Two musicians enter the stage, oblivious about the merciless commitment between the musical arranger and the melodies. Cautiously, a core like initiation test, surrounds every rehearsal, conversation, and interpretation. Nothing but unrevealing, sore, and transparent communication within the trio persists. Try one, change halfway through, check how it`s going and change again if necessary.
Finally ripened and patiently held alive through all the pauses during the pandemic, we were ready to record!

The deep dive
Ulf Holand, our producer, and legendary sound wizard held an ongoing comprehensive overview. His musical omnipresence did not let any tone, pause or word slip by. Throughout the recording sessions, he revealed only glimpses of the bigger picture, yet by just being there, made you comprehend the unspoken. Again, it was a matter of mutual trust.
Finally, when crossing the finish line, the circle was complete. Raw, translucent, and stripped down to the bone melodies, had become an album.
Finally, each jazz standard could say: ”I am an old melody with many, many stories.”

Featuring Bendik Hofseth & Nils Petter Molvær