Remembrance

First release from a new trio of Norwegian jazz veterans, 'Remembrance' features Ketil Bj?rnstad and Jon Christensen, musical associates for almost 40 years, alongside saxophonist Tore Brunborg for some joyful playing. Strongly melodic in both extroverted and introverted modes, the music is by turns reflective and outgoing - and likely to connect with a large audience.

Ketil Bj?rnstad and Jon Christensen have been friends since the great drummer played on Bj?rnstad's very first recordings in the early 1970s. And when Ketil came to ECM for 'Water Stories' in 1993 Christensen was once again on board, staying to become a charter member of the pianist's Sea Quartet through the 1990s. This long alliance gives plenty of 'remembrances' to draw upon, and Bj?rnstad's exquisite compositions provide contexts in which memories can be newly experienced. The project is also forward-looking: at the instigation of producer Manfred Eicher, they are joined by saxophonist Tore Brunborg, in his third ECM showing this season (following sessions with Tord Gustavsen and Manu Katch?) and currently at a creative peak. Ketil's chord patterns provide a centre from which Tore and Jon launch their explorations.

Ketil Bj?rnstad described as "a cultural prodigy" by The Guardian's John Fordham, started out as a classical pianist, making his debut with the Oslo Philharmonic, playing Bart?k. Encounters with jazz of the late 1960s, especially Miles and Coltrane, changed his priorities and he switched to playing with the jazz men. Simultaneously he has maintained a career as a respected writer with many books to his credit - novels, poems, essays and more. 2010 is a set to be a big year for Bj?rnstad: another disc - a duo with cellist Svante Henrykson - is scheduled for release this autumn.

One of the most influential drummers in modern jazz history, Jon Christensen helped to define music on ECM in the early years, in the bands of Jan Garbarek, Bobo Stenson, Keith Jarrett, Eberhard Weber, Terje Rypdal, and Ralph Towner.

Personnel: Ketil Bj?rnstad (piano), Jon Christensen (drums), Tore Brunborg (saxophones)