These last uncertain years have favored the return to vogue of a particularly soothing form of jazz — some dare to call it ambient jazz — a niche occupied for half a century by ECM Records, which publishes Opening, new album by the meditative Norwegian composer and pianist Tord Gustavsen. The arrival in his trio of a new double bass player (Steinar Raknes) does not transform the vision of the pianist, who always favors melodies and textural explorations of the sound of the whole, completed by drummer Jarle Vespestad, faithful to the post since the first album released in 2003. Admirable cohesion between the three instrumentalists, who present the compositions and rereadings (of traditional Scandinavian tunes) with tenderness and emotion, on the plaintive Helensburgh Tango and Re-opening Especially. At the end of the album, Ritual exception, more arid and tense, the piano plating dry notes while the bass takes itself for an electric guitar. In concert at the Festival Québec Jazz on June 30 and at the Festival international de jazz de Montréal on June 1er July.
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