It was only during Ken Vandermark's residency at the Jazz club The Stone in January 2016 that Vandermark found himself in the same vicinity as Nate Wooley, Sylvie Courvoisier and Tom Rainey. A year later they went into the studio with nine compositions – three each by Courvoisier, Vandermark and Wooley.
These four musicians have well-documented, distinct personalities which, in this context, results in performances full of surprises, rich contrasts and shared responsibilities. The music sounds thoughtful, but never over-wrought. They play by intuition, yet retain a vivid complexity. Their composing is transparent and unclichéd; their improvising provided with a remarkable coherence and openness. And perhaps it is exactly this – a fresh collective unity that keeps their respective personalities and idiosyncrasies intact – that brings tehm succes in this bold and collaborative performance. Art needs to pique and renew your interest, take you on inspiring and surprising journeys and sometimes even confront your own biases. Creating, not reviving as a way to evolve and to keep going forward in all directions.

Cover art: Willi Schoder
Graphic design: Jonas Schoder
Liner notes: Larry Blumenfeld, Thomas Staudter
Photos: Francesca Pfeffer, Jimmy Katz

Recorded December 7, 8, 2017, by Martin Pearson at Radio Studio, Zürich. In cooperation with Radio SRF 2 Kultur. Mixed January 30, 2018, by Michael Brändli at Hardstudios Winterthur. Mastered by Michael Brändli at Hardstudios Winterthur. Executive production by Florian Keller. Produced and published by Intakt Records, Patrik Landolt.