„Deft and tasteful, […] always with a sure sense of where he’s landed, and how to go on and develop his ideas.“ – The New York City Jazz Record „[…] a spectacular new trio album. Joray plays with enormous inventiveness and a keen sense of stylish abstraction. – Marc Myers (JazzWax / Wall Street Journal) „It’s rare to hear a jazz combo that is simultaneously so sonically forward-thinking and so deeply rooted in the verities. For all jazz collections.“ – CD Hotlist (USA) „One of the most satisfying guitar albums of the year.“ – Dark Blue Notes (Turkey)
|
Updraft„Silvan Joray has become one of the most exciting young jazz guitarists on the international jazz scene." – Jazzwise (UK) „More versatile than a Swiss army knife, as precise as a Schaffhausen watch, and as crystal clear as alpine air.“ – JazzMa (Hungary)
|
out since November 3rd, 2023
|
|
New York City-based guitarist and composer Silvan Joray is proud to present „Updraft“, his second album as a leader and first for the Ubuntu Music label. The album showcases his forward-thinking original style characterized by a transparent tone, crispy articulation, creative rhythmic ideas and extended techniques like quarter tones and „tapping“ which are not traditionally associated with jazz guitar playing. A follow up to his ambitious 2020 trio album, cluster, Joray’s latest outing features once again Israeli double bass player Nadav Erlich and this time the living legend Jeff Ballard (Brad Mehldau, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny etc.) on drums.
Born and raised in Switzerland, Joray embraces both the openness of European as well as the rootedness and swing of American jazz. While the music on „Updraft“ is clearly influenced by the American jazz tradition, it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not and is totally content with being in its own category. Renowned jazz bassist Larry Grenadier states: „Silvan along with Nadav and Jeff have made a musical statement together that has at its core a sense of history and at the same time moves the music towards the future with bold playing and fresh compositions. Sonically beautiful and captivating music.“ The recording includes seven original compositions and two short, freely improvised tracks. The serenity of joyful straight eighth grooves, as heard in „Kokodrillo“ or „Kaeppeleview“, complements the swinging energy of pieces like "Updraft" and „Kurtish". Being largely interested in playing jazz standards, he also pays tribute to two masters of the genre – Cole Porter and Andrew Hill – by including „At Long Last Love“ and „Subterfuge“. Starting in September 2020, the trio had the chance to refine its band sound and interplay over the course of two years before going into the studio. At the same time, humanity faced some new challenges that heavily impacted everyone’s life. Updraft is Joray’s personal way of dealing with these difficult times and presents a collection of compositions that strive to lift our spirits and elevate our perspectives. The title of the album beautifully encapsulates this sentiment, and Joray’s innate gift for melody and lyricism shines through both in his playing and compositions. |
Line-up
Silvan Joray, guitar Nadav Erlich, double bass Jeff Ballard, drums Album infos: All compositions by Silvan Joray except tracks 4 and 10 (improvised), track 6 (Andrew Hill) and 11 (Cole Porter) Produced by Silvan Joray Co-produced by Roman Hošek for Swiss Radio SRF2 Kultur Executive Producer: Martin Hummel Recorded by Daniel Dettwiler and Josua Dillier at Idee und Klang Studio Basel on June 11 and 12, 2022 Mixed and mastered by Daniel Dettwiler at Idee und Klang Studio Himmelried Front Cover Photo by George Korunov |
Some videos from the studio:
|
|
|
