When alexander Hawkins played at the Jazzfest berlin in a duo with the american trumpeter Wadada leo Smith, he met the Saxophoneo- phonist angelika Niescier. Niescier was playing at the festival with her New York Trio with bassist Christopher Tordini and drummer Tyshawn Sorey ("The berlin Concert", Intakt CD 305). Niescier has also been honored in berlin with the albert Mangelsdorff Prize, Germany's most prestigious jazz award. Hawkins is fascinated by Niescier's Saxophoneo- phone playing, and Niescier in turn is ardent about Hawkins' music. They stand on the same ground – both have their roots in jazz, and both love the jazz avant-garde of Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor. Two technically skilled instrumentalists with sparkling temperament, drive and joy in experimentation.
after several duo concerts, the studio album by Niescier and Hawkins, recorded at the loft in Cologne, is now available. The american jazz critic Stephanie Jones writes in the liner notes: “Soul in Plain Sight reveals layers of mutual navigation. angelika Niescier and alexander Hawkins court similarities and delight in differences ... buoying and challenging each other’s inclinations, the artists navi- gate shared sound with compassion and nuance.”

Cover photo: Anja Illmaier
Graphic design: Paul Bieri
Liner notes: Stephanie Jones
Photo: Viktoria Sophie Conzelmann

All music by Hawkins/Niescier except "Arhythm Songy" by Muhal Richard Abrams, "Un:Tamed", "Nexus" and "Tar'ai" by Angelika Niescier , "Scops" and "As Hemispheres at Home" by Alexander Hawkins. Recorded in September 2020 at Loft Köln by Christian Heck. Mixed in March 2021 at Tonart Studio by Christian Heck. Mastered in April 2021 at Hardstudios Winterthur by Michael Brändli. Produced by Angelika Niescier, Alexander Hawkins and Intakt Records, Patrik Landolt, Anja Illmaier, Florian Keller. Published by Intakt Records.