Morten Ramsbøl - True North (CHALLENGE RECORDS 2019)

True North - Morten Ramsbøl's latest release and debut album on Challenge Records

True North - Morten Ramsbøl's latest release and debut album on Challenge Records - showcase new compositions by Morten in a stellar lineup with some of the finest jazz musicians in Europe: “Several listenings to this music, only solidify the obvious, that Morten Ramsbøl is clearly his own musical spirit. Highly original, a payer of homage to the totality of jazz performance and the unique position that the bass occupies within it…one foot firmly placed in that history, the other constantly exploring new directions within the path less traveled”. 

Whether soloing, grooving, or painting colors, Morten consistently displays a staggering command of the instrument. He constantly responds immediately to his colleagues. Bassist Dave Holland said: “the greatest musicians were the greatest listeners”, a truism that is proved repeatedly throughout this recording.

Morten Ramsbøl 
Morten has a BA teaching degree from the Royal Academy Of Music in Aarhus and a Pedagogical Diploma degree.  He has since 1998 played, toured and recorded with stellar artists such as Sinne Eeg, Niels Lan Doky, The Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, Kurt Elling, John Scofield, Claire Martin, Benny Golson, Kristian Leth, Kenneth Knudsen, Renato Chicco, Randy Brecker, Ulf Wakenius, Lars Jansson, and many more. Morten has composed music for television, commission work and numerous tours / projects. His first album “Short Stay feat. Joey Baron” (Music Mecca, 2002)  and secondly the first album with all original compositions “Same Story, Different Place” (Gateway Music, 2014) and thirdly “How Far Is The Moon” (Natango Music, 2016) have been praised in and outside of Denmark being called “a timeless masterpiece”. 

“I congratulate these musicians on such a splendid effort. I wholeheartedly endorse that effort with absolutely no hesitation. Morten Ramsbøl lends credence to that time spun adage of, “Talent deserving wider recognition”. Throughout this project, his magnificent talent, diligence in craft and scrutiny in selecting accompanying sidemen to enhance his aesthetic vision, he has subsequently raised the bar in musical achievership. 

Listen? Yes, definitely. But HEAR him!”

– Thomas Howard Curtis III

Morten Ramsbøl (double bass)

Julian Arguelles (saxophone)

Jacob Karlzon (piano)

Reini Schmolzer (drums)

Igmar Jenner (violin)

Andreas Semlitsch (violin)

Delphine Krenn-Viard (viola)

Katja Finsel (cello)

1 As Seen From Above  04:24

2 Marianne  01:29

3 Brothers  01:19

4 Keith  04:10

5 True North  07:22

6 Naymenhay  03:12

7 Le Grand  05:48

8 Signal Me  07:08

9 Brothers II  03:11

10 Surface  04:11

© 2019 - NewArts International / Challenge Records Int.

Julian Argüelles - Tonadas (EDITION RECORDS July 20, 2018)

European Jazz at its finest blending Spanish roots, Nordic space and sound with one of the brightest and most talented British bands around. 

Tonadas (simply meaning Tunes) is the lyrical and vibrant new quartet album from saxophonist Julian Argüelles. Drawing on his Spanish roots Argüelles has produced a gem - a beautifully warm, harmonically rich and melodic album, abundant with an elegant tone and absorbing colour.

Tonadas has everything you’d want and expect from a contemporary Jazz album, yet it surprises on another level. With shifting turns of phrase and effortlessly flowing band interplay, Argüelles’ growing status as a master composer, bandleader and creator are clear. This music is profoundly joyful and masterfully produced.

With some of the UK’s most dependable, experienced and exciting musicians pianist, Ivo Neame, bassist Sam Lasserson and drummer James Maddren, the rhythm section are flexible and intelligent enough to deliver the promise in Julian Argüelles’ writing and arrangements. Exploratory in feel yet integrated in one strong and committed sound, the album is elegantly poised as possibly one of the great European contemporary Jazz albums of this year. 

For over three decades Julian Argüelles has been at the forefront of European Jazz, working with some of its finest practitioners including musicians of the calibre of Dave Holland, John Taylor, Django Bates, Kenny Wheeler, Phronesis, Mike Gibbs and Carla Bley to name some. With Tonadas, Argüelles has mindfully and boldly crafted a band and composed music that further defines him as a composer and musician for the future and promises to command the attention of fans and critics alike.

1. Alalá

2. Alfama

3. Bulerías

4. Tonadilla

5. Barrio Gótico

6. Alegrías

7. Sevilla

8. Tía Mercedes

Julian Argüelles tenor and soprano saxophones, percussion

Ivo Neame piano

Sam Lasserson double bass

James Maddren drums, percussion

Recorded by Stefano Amerio at ArteSuono, Udine, Italy in November 2017. 

Mixed and mastered by Stefano Amerio in January 2018.

Julian Argüelles’ Tetra signs to Edition

EDITION RECORDS

EDITION RECORDS LTD | PRESS RELEASE

12th December 2016

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Julian Argüelles’ Tetra signs to Edition. Late 2018 release.

Edition are pleased to announce that British saxophonist Julian Argüelles will strengthen his relationship with Edition to include a release from his vibrant, adventurous quartet featuring Kit Downes, James Maddren and Sam Lasserson scheduled for Autumn 2018. Described as ‘supremely lyrical, with beautiful melodies’ by the Irish Times, Tetra is a dynamic outfit defined by its deftly executed tempo changes and improvisatory touches.

Julian marked his first appearance on Edition earlier this year as arranger and conductor for Phronesis and Frankfurt Radio Big Band’s acclaimed album, The Behemoth. Julian’s contribution to the record was highly praised by Downbeat Magazine: “the star of the session is arranger (and conductor) Argüelles, whose task was a daunting one...the arrangements allow Phronesis to truly be themselves while the big band artfully complements their rhythmic momentum and contributes glorious, harmonic colors”.

In Oct 2017, Julian will team up with Portuguese pianist Mário Laginha and Norwegian percussionist Helge Andreas Norbakken to release Setembro, an album bursting with melody, intertwined with subtle grooves and a collective maturity that places this world-class trio up as one of the most creative in Europe.

More About Julian Argüelles
From his beginnings in the 1980s with the legendary UK big band Loose Tubes, through his worldwide collaborations, his current quartet (Tetra), to his searching solo projects, Argüelles has always spoken with a unique voice. His recordings, compositions and award winning arrangements have earned him the highest accolades internationally and wide critical acclaim. He has become a hugely influential figure to a new generation of European jazz musicians and continues to be amongst the most in demand musicians, composers, arrangers and educators.

Mário Laginha, Julian Argüelles and Helge Andreas Norbakken will release their debut album in Autumn 2017.

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New Album from Phronesis with Julian Argüelles & Frankfurt Radio Big Band - out 31st March 2017

Phronesis set to release new album with Julian Argüelles & the

Frankfurt Radio Big Band

on 31st March 2017.

The Behemoth

PRE-ORDER THE CD

The first 50 copies will be signed by Phronesis

WATCH OFFICIAL ALBUM TRAILER

Phronesis have built a formidable reputation over the last decade as one of the most powerful and energetic small ensembles on the European jazz scene. Known for their virtuosity, dynamism and telepathic group interplay, the trio have commanded impressive media attention and established a substantial fanbase on a global level. Following six critically acclaimed trio albums, the band have now completed their most ambitious recording to date with the release of The Behemoth. Consisting of ten arrangements and re-imaginings of compositions from their back catalogue by Julian Argüelles, this remarkable, vibrant new album featuring the Frankfurt Radio Big Band is rich in colour and bursting with spirit and creativity.

1. Ok Chorale (Ivo Neame) 3.49 

2. Untitled#1 (Jasper Høiby) 6.58 

3. Stillness (Jasper Høiby) 9.09 

4. Herne Hill (Anton Eger) 4.55 

5. Charm Defensive (Ivo Neame) 6.36 

6. Zieding (Anton Eger) 9.46 

7. Phraternal (Ivo Neame) 6.53 

8. Intro to Urban Control (Julian Argüelles & Anton Eger) 2.49 

9. Urban Control (Anton Eger) 7.45 

10. Happy Notes (Jasper Høiby) 6.07

Julian Argüelles plays a pivotal role throughout this album, demonstrating his masterful ability as arranger and conductor, and also appearing as a soloist on Eger’s ‘Urban Control’. All three members of the trio have been long time admirers of Julian’s playing, writing and arranging and when an opportunity arose for them to collaborate, they all jumped at the chance. Likewise, the Frankfurt Radio Big Band have an impressive story, having been one of the key radio big bands in Europe for many years, collaborating with a plethora of international jazz artists . Tackling the music of Phronesis is no easy task for any large ensemble, but with Julian at the helm, they met the challenge with creative energy.

The Behemoth is released on 31st March 2017

Phronesis

Edition Records

Julian Argüelles

Frankfurt Radio Big Band

Samo Salamon Sextet - The Colours Suite (CLEAN FEED RECORDS 2017)

Here is one more live recording of the Ljubljana Jazz Festival, featuring the Slovenian guitarist, and former John Scofield’s student, who is unanimously pointed out as one of the most defying players today in Europe: Samo Salamon. The Sextet is of transnational constitution, putting together the cream of the European scene, namely a British, Julian Arguelles, two Italians, Achille Succi and Roberto Dani, a French-German, Pascal Niggenkemper, and a German, Christian Lillinger. The presence of two drummers was an old Salamon’s aspiration, as it was the desire to have with him, for the first time, an «amazing» (his own adjective) double bassist like Niggenkemper and to continue to work with Succi, who contributed to another album by the composer of “The Colours Suite”, “Ornethology”. Being each one of the participants specially picked for this project, Samo Salamon wrote the suite thinking about the personalities of these musicians. This was the modus operandi of Duke Ellington, and there’s something of that heritage here, namely the combination of complex harmonic and rhythmic motives with open improvisation, the results giving us the «feel of a living organism». In two words: powerful music, not to be missed.

1 Yellow

2 Black

3 Green

4 Red

5 White

6 Brown

7 Blue

8 Grey

Achille Succi  bass clarinet

Julian Arguelles  tenor and soprano sax

Samo Salamon  guitar

Pascal Niggenkemper  bass

Roberto Dani  drums

Christian Lillinger  drums

​Escape Hatch (feat. Julian Argüelles) - Roots of Unity (WHIRLWIND RECORDINGS 2016)

A piano trio who have been honing and roadworking their craft over the past few years, Escape Hatch now release their debut album Roots of Unity on Whirlwind. A collaborative concept birthed by Milan-born double bassist Andrea Di Biase and British pianist Ivo Neame, the line-up is completed by London-based drummer Dave Hamblett, and augmented by guest saxophonist Julian Argüelles

With a particular focus on the aesthetics of longer, progressive compositional outcomes – affording the freedom for elaboration through melodic development, harmonic color and extended improvisation – Escape Hatch’s searching, artistic alliance reflects their core intent: ‘a tribute to the power that music has to transport listeners and performers to the antipodes of the mind.’ That said, the original, individual writing of Di Biase and Neame flows both lyrically and connectively, presenting an overarching accessibility which belies the elemental complexity and underlying logic of its construction. As Di Biase explains: “One of the beautiful aspects of this band is that it is a fertile environment where we are willing to explore new ideas; to let go of a composition and allow it to grow at the hands of the performers. And when we find solutions to the various challenges (where you start feeling it in your body), a ‘eureka moment’ is reached. It’s that discovery process we’re always looking for.”

Echoing Escape Hatch’s creative bond, as well as offering a defiant response to current political divisiveness by reaffirming what we share as human beings, Roots of Unity also strongly reflects Di Biase’s interest in mathematical concepts in relation to music – specifically, the strength in a complex number being derived from the figure ‘one’.

But whatever connection is made, this is an album whose integrity and finesse shine out, the bustling energy of ten-minute ‘Hysterical Revisionism’ also revealing the band’s openness through Di Biase’s sonorous perambulations and Neame’s pianistic impressionism. Arguelles’ authoritative invention is present in four tracks, swelling such buoyant outings as ‘La Strega’ and ‘Moon Bathing’; and ‘Today, Tomorrow, Never’s’ questioning demeanor (a poignant commentary on migrants’ struggles for a better life) becomes enhanced by the tenorist’s characteristically mellifluous delivery.

The trio itself is many-hued, from the angsty bass attack of ‘Resignation’, through the multifarious textural levels of title track ‘Roots of Unity’, to the pensive weave of ‘Dust and Moonlight’ (a title taken from a line in American illustrator Don Hertzfeldt’s animation Everything Will Be OK); and miniatures ‘History Repeating’ (based on the opening number) and ‘Common Multiple’ (subtly reconfigured from the title track) create a compositional illusion, changing the perspective of what has gone before.

As an album, Roots of Unity possesses a conventional piano trio immediacy, with an enriching saxophonic fluidity – yet it has also been purposefully conceived, with artisan-like ingenuity. Andrea Di Biase confirms what it means to finally divulge their work: “As musicians, we have matured together over the years, so now feel ready – and are excited – to present it to a wider audience.”

1. Hysterical Revisionism

2. La Strega

3. Roots of Unity

4. Moonbathing

5. Today, Tomorrow, Never

6. History Repeating

7. Resignation

8. Dust and Moonlight

9. Common Multiple

Julian Argüelles - tenor and soprano saxophone

Ivo Neame - piano

Andrea Di Biase - double bass

Dave Hamblett - drums

Sean Foran - Frame of Reference (2016) JAZZHEAD

Better known as one third of the highly-lauded progressive piano trio Trichotomy, pianist and composer Sean Foran steps away from the group whose cohesion and empathy saw them do now wrong over their 17 year history.. Bringing together a brand new ensemble of cutting edge British players, Foran releases his debut as a leader; 'Frame of Reference', a collection of original works for the inventive line up of piano/Rhodes, guitar, saxophone, cello and drums.

Frame of Reference moves away from the jagged, pulse-racing intensity of Trichotomy, but is no less fluent, tight or dramatic. Foran's desire to work with new musicians was, in part, a response to reaching for a more chamber jazz sound. Throughout the eight tracks, tempos shift with pieces building and swooping with Foran's playing both bright and dreamy. Together, the ensemble provides sharp interplay. Whilst their repeating melodies and the cello accompaniment at times provide an anthemic, cinematic touch - rhythmic and hypnotic - they maintain a clear melodic focus. Indeed, Foran's love of minimalist composers including Steve Reich, Phillip Glass and modern jazz masters such as Pat Metheny are evident in his compositions.

Foran's time in the UK, as a Masters student at the Leeds College of Music and later through numerous tours with Trichotomy, saw him to interact with a variety of the UK scene's vibrant players. So for this recording he was able to gather "players" he says "I really admire''- Julian Arguelles (sax), Stuart McCallum (guitar), Ben Davis (cello) and Joost Hendrickx (drums). Foran wrote each of the album's eight tracks specifically for the band, thinking about what each member offers both as a player and as a person. An immediate chemistry is evident in the ensemble who were assembled for the first time at the recording session.

"This project was something that I'd thought about for a while, and I wanted to write and record some music that featured a different lineup to the trio that I usually work with. It's more chamber based that my trio material, and also more textural. The saxophone, guitar and cello complement each other in a really interesting way and open the music up to so many possibilities for melodic and harmonic interactions. Most of all, there's space for everyone to improvise... it feels very open and melodic...I think there's a sense of optimism in the music, a sense of calm".

In touring the project within Australia Sean has assembled an equally stunning group of musicians, with a varied lineup for each show featuring John Parker (Drums), Sam Vincent (bass), Stephen Magnusson (guitar), Toby Wren (guitar), Ben Hauptmann (guitar), Jeremy Rose (saxophones) and Rafael Karlen (saxophones). The sensitivity of these players will create performances not to be missed.

Reviews

"…this album with its richly nuanced, multi faceted writing and highly skilled playing. There are some brilliant individual moments from all of the musicians involved but it's the overall balance and coherence of the ensemble in conjunction with Foran's intelligent and colourful writing that impresses most. "Frame of Reference" is one of the most consistently beautiful albums that I've heard all year, but there's genuine rigour and intelligence alongside the prettiness. Highly recommended."

1. Room with a View 07:11

2. Une Fille 08:39

3. Frame of Reference 09:02

4. Dare to Dream 09:12

5. A Fine Balance 07:01

6. Quiet Times 06:27

7. Mish Mash 06:00

8. The Sum of 06:31

Sean Foran - piano / rhodes

Stuart McCallum - guitars

Julian Arguelles - saxophones

Ben Davis - cello

Joost Hendrickx - drums

Sean Foran: FRAME OF REFERENCE - album trailer from Sean Foran on Vimeo.

Samo Salamon Bassless Trio (feat. Julián Argüelles, John Hollenbeck) - Unity (2016)

By EDWARD BLANCO / allaboutjazz

Veteran Slovenian jazz guitarist Samo Salamon has little use for the standards or contemporary traditional jazz music preferring instead, the more creative challenging landscape of today's modern jazz. With his nineteenth album as leader, the young guitarist explores the edges of the genre venturing into uncommon territory once again on Unity, where he continues employing his bass less trio format for the fourth time in his recording career. 

On tap here is Salamon joining forces with two world-class players, renowned drummer John Hollenbeck and tenor saxophonist Julian Arguelles, one of the finest musicians in Europe. Together, this version of his bass less trio performs an unconventional set of music recorded live while on tour throughout Europe in 2014. Featured here are ten dynamic new compositions of the modern jazz type that actually borders slightly on the Avant-garde sound. 

The date begins with the dicey sounds of Hollenbeck's splashy brushes laying down the beats to the dueling sounds of Salmon's guitar and Arguelles's howling tenor on the opening "Asking for a Break." The most ambitious piece of the album is "Kei's Venice" at twelve and a half minutes in length, it is perhaps the most melodic tune of the set. As is the case with a free style type of sound, there is a great deal of improvisation here lending that unanticipated or unexpected quality to the music. 

As is often the case when a trio format is used, each of the players are provided with plenty of solo space with Salamon demonstrating his appreciable chops on the guitar throughout but especially on "Soundgarden," while Hollenbeck delivers a pounding performance and Arguelles is solid on both the tenor and soprano. Samo Salamon's Unity continues the guitarists journey into the sophisticated side of modern jazz with innovative music and excellent musicianship that make this outing worth exploring.

Samo Salamon - guitar

Julian Arguelles - tenor and soprano saxophone

John Hollenbeck - drums

01. Asking for a Break (feat. Julian Arguelles, John Hollenbeck) 6:52

02. Dawn (feat. Julian Arguelles, John Hollenbeck) 5:44

03. Kei's Venice (feat. Julian Arguelles, John Hollenbeck) 12:25

04. Holla Back (feat. Julian Arguelles, John Hollenbeck) 5:23

05. Soundgarden (feat. Julian Arguelles, John Hollenbeck) 7:24

06. Moonless (feat. Julian Arguelles, John Hollenbeck) 6:31

07. Seagulls in Maine (feat. Julian Arguelles, John Hollenbeck) 6:22

08. Drop the D (feat. Julian Arguelles, John Hollenbeck) 9:25

09. Pif (feat. Julian Arguelles, John Hollenbeck) 2:25

10. Kei's Secret (feat. Julian Arguelles, John Hollenbeck) 5:52

BUY THIS ALBUM!!!

JAVI