Swiss pianist and composer Sylvie Courvoisier has been a defining figure on the contemporary jazz scene for 20 years and is at the epicentre of the New York music scene. Having just been awarded the prestigious Swiss Grand Prize for Music 2025, she now presents her duo album with the legendary Wadada Leo Smith. This follows the recent acclaimed release of her solo album To Be Other-Wise and the atmospherically multi-layered sextet album Chimaera. An exceptional musician, Smith is always at the pulse of the times, celebrating musical diversity and creativity and speaks out against any labelling of his work. He has helped shape the development of music in various contexts over the last 50 years. Angel Falls exudes the magic of musical freedom, possesses an astonishing immediacy, and has a captivating sense of dazzling sound architecture. “They both sound great. They complement each other without resorting to obvious moves. There is no ‘comping’, no showmanship, just a constant feeling of continuous calibration, quirky elements that are somehow perfectly balanced. How do they do it?” writes John Sharpe in the liner notes. A musical experience!

Cover and Booklet Art: Sophie Bouvier Ausländer
Graphic design: Paul Bieri
Liner notes: John Sharpe
Photo: @Ogata_Photo

All compositions by Sylvie Courvoisier and Wadada Leo Smith (SUISA, ASCAP). Published by Sylvie Courvoisier Music (ASCAP) and Kiom Music (ASCAP). Recorded and mixed on October 12, 2024, at Oktaven Audio, Mount Vernon, NY, by Ryan Streber. Mastered in January 2025 at Skye Mastering by Denis Blackham. Recording produced by Sylvie Courvoisier, Wadada Leo Smith. CD produced by Intakt Records, P.O. Box, 8024 Zürich, Switzerland.