account
basket
Challenge Records Int. logo
Unknown Prophet

Trichome

Unknown Prophet

Price: € 14.95
Format: CD
Label: Double Moon Records
UPC: 0608917135824
Catnr: DMCHR 71358
Release date: 06 March 2020
Buy
1 CD
✓ in stock
€ 14.95
Buy
 
Label
Double Moon Records
UPC
0608917135824
Catalogue number
DMCHR 71358
Release date
06 March 2020

"... It is always about the equivalence of the three instruments, about a balance in which all participants obviously feel comfortable. Thus the musicians no longer function as a mere association of three outstanding soloists (which they could undoubtedly be), but as an organic, self-contained, coordinated unit."

Piano News, 01-9-2020
Album
Artist(s)
Composer(s)
Press
EN
DE

About the album

Of course, you have already heard all of that: sometime, somewhere, somehow. Of course, it is again a piano trio, the most traditional, most often used, but also the most common collection of band members grouped together in one category in jazz. Whoever gets involved with it has a lot work constantly counteracting all prejudices. “The isosceles triangle”, “exciting interaction” and “group structure with equal rights for all”: meaninglessness phrases like this increasingly run riot, but also demonstrate a certain helplessness against a phenomenon, which is numbing in itself.

Maybe just think in a completely different direction. Perhaps chose the bass player, who usually controls things in a piano trio and connects many things inconspicuously, as primus inter pares. “I already have had experiences with trios,” bassist Nesin Howhannesijan explained. “For me, it's the most interesting format that exists. Every musician gets the space that he wants.” The specific case concerns him, a German with Armenian roots, the pianist Benny Lackner, who studied under Brad Mehldau and whose father comes from America, and the drummer Diego Piñera from Uruguay. The smallest common denominator of the three is Berlin, the cultural artery of Germany and their place of residence, the largest of which is called “Trichome”.

Trichomes are the antennas or sensors of a plant that absorb sunlight. The philosophy of the trio cannot be described better. The musicians absorb all the influences around them and process them into an independent, entirely new music, which also includes coherent, courageous use of electronic effects, experimental sounds, hip-hop, odd-meter jazz, European classical music and folk music from the Balkans, Asia and the Orient in addition to acoustic passages. No standards – which goes without saying – but instead nine own compositions (everything by Nesin Howhannesijan except for "Con Dos Cojones” by Benny Lackner) with odd rhythms, subtle punch and great sensitivity. Lackner uses the Korg Kaos Pad, which generates a lot of confusing, exciting sounds, while Piñera does not act like a conventional drummer, but also play gongs and other percussion instruments. The energy level never falls below a certain level, and the complexity of the structures interestingly facilitates listening pleasure. It is always about the balance of the three instruments, about a balance that brings all the participants to the same level.
The title “Unknown Prophet” symbolizes a whole series of unknown musicians for the bassist, musicians who have long emancipated themselves from the traditional laws and who actually deserve to be heard more. Nesin Howhannesijan does not believe that Trichome shares this fate. “We all come from tradition. Of course, we communicate with our vocabulary. But jazz has become such a wide field that we draw our inspiration not only from the past, but also from the present. We also incorporate things that we find interesting. Anything is allowed and possible with us.” Trichome has a much larger pool of inspiration than Bill Evans, the grail guardian of the modern piano trio, did in the 1960s. The fascinating thing about it: The musicians no longer function as a mere union of three outstanding soloists (which they could undoubtedly be), but as an organic, self-contained, coordinated unit. Howhannesijan, Lackner and Piñera present the piano trio in 2020 as a holistic, new instrument, pushing the horizon of jazz back a little further.
Natürlich hat man das alles schon mal gehört – irgendwann, irgendwo, irgendwie. Natürlich ist es wieder ein Pianotrio, die traditionellste, am dichtesten frequentierte, aber auch am häufigsten pauschalierte Besetzungsform des Jazz. Wer immer sich darauf einlässt, muss sich gewaltig strecken, um ständig gegen alle Vorurteile anzuspielen. „Das gleichschenklige Dreieck“ oder „spannende Interaktion“ und „gleichberechtigte Gruppenstruktur“: Sinnleere Phrasen wie diese schießen zunehmend ins Kraut, belegen aber auch eine gewisse Ratlosigkeit gegenüber einem in sich selbst erstarrenden Phänomen.

Vielleicht einfach mal in eine ganz andere Richtung denken. Vielleicht den Bassisten, der im Pianotrio meist die Fäden in der Hand hält und vieles unscheinbar miteinander verbindet, zum Primus inter pares küren. „Ich habe mit Trios schon meine Erfahrungen“, erklärt Bassist Nesin Howhannesijan. „Für mich ist es das interessanteste Format überhaupt. Hier bekommt jeder Musiker den Raum, den er gerne haben möchte.“ Im konkreten Fall handelt es sich um ihn, einen Deutschen mit armenischen Wurzeln, den Pianisten Benny Lackner, der unter anderem bei Brad Mehldau studierte und dessen Vater aus Amerika stammt, sowie den Schlagzeuger Diego Piñera aus Uruguay. Der kleinste gemeinsame Nenner der drei ist Berlin, die kulturelle Hauptschlagader Deutschlands und ihr Wohnort, der größte trägt den Namen „Trichome“.

Bei einem Trichom handelt es sich um die Antennen oder Fühler einer Pflanze, die das Sonnenlicht absorbieren sollen. Besser lässt sich die Philosophie des Trio nicht beschreiben: Die Musiker absorbieren alle umherfliegenden Einflüsse und verarbeiten sie zu einer eigenständigen, durchaus neuen Musik, die neben akustischen Passagen auch stimmig dosierten, durchaus mutigen Einsatz von elektronischen Effekten, experimentellen Sounds, Hip-Hop, Odd-Meter-Jazz, der europäischen Klassik sowie Volksmusik vom Balkan, aus Asien und dem Orient beinhaltet. Keine Standards – was sich von selbst versteht – dafür neun Eigenkompositionen (bis auf „Con Dos Cojones“ von Benny Lackner alles aus der Feder von Nesin Howhannesijan) mit ungeraden Rhythmen, subtilem Punch und großer Sensibilität. Lackner benutzt das Korg Kaos Pad, das jede Menge verwirrender, spannender Sounds generiert, während Piñera nicht wie ein konventioneller Drummer agiert, sondern Gongs und andere Perkussionsinstrumente erklingen lässt. Das Energielevel fällt nie unter ein bestimmtes Niveau, die Komplexität der Strukturen erleichtert interessanterweise den Hörgenuss. Es geht immer um die Balance der drei Instrumente, um einen Gleichklang, der alle Beteiligten auf eine Stufe hebt.

Der Titel „Unknown Prophet“ steht für den Bassisten symbolisch für eine ganze Reihe unbekannter Musiker, die sich längst von den überlieferten Gesetzmäßigkeiten emanzipiert haben und die eigentlich mehr offene Ohren verdient hätten. Dass Trichome dieses Schicksal teilen, glaubt Nesin Howhannesijan nicht. „Wir kommen alle aus der Tradition. Natürlich ist sie unser Vokabular, mit dem wir uns verständigen. Aber Jazz ist mittlerweile ein derart weites Feld geworden, dass wir unsere Inspirationen nicht nur aus der Vergangenheit, sondern auch aus der Gegenwart ziehen. Was wir interessant finden, das bauen wir auch ein. Bei uns ist alles erlaubt und möglich.“ Trichome besitzen jedenfalls einen weitaus größeren Fundus, als dies weiland bei Bill Evans, dem Gralshüter des modernen Pianotrios, in den 1960er Jahren der Fall war. Das Faszinierende dabei: Die Musiker funktionieren nicht mehr als ein bloßer Zusammenschluss dreier herausragender Solisten (die sie zweifellos sein könnten), sondern als organische, in sich geschlossene, aufeinander abgestimmte Einheit. Howhannesijan, Lackner und Piñera präsentieren das Pianotrio im Jahr 2020 als ganzheitliches, neues Instrument und schieben damit den Horizont des Jazz wieder ein Stückchen weiter nach hinten.

Artist(s)

Trichome

Trichome is a structure on plant‘s leaves absorbing sunlight to protect the plant. This can be seen as a metaphor for the conception of this trio, which is trying to absorb all kinds of input from diff erent sources, integrating them into its music. With use of electronics, eff ects, experimental sounds as well as infl uences from all musical styles existing, the sound of Trichome can be described as quite diff erent as from classic piano trios. One defi nition could be: experimental/electronic hip-hop/odd-meter-jazz, but the answer may be up to oneself after listening to Trichome.
more
Trichome is a structure on plant‘s leaves absorbing sunlight to protect the plant. This can be seen as a metaphor for the conception of this trio, which is trying to absorb all kinds of input from diff erent sources, integrating them into its music. With use of electronics, eff ects, experimental sounds as well as infl uences from all musical styles existing, the sound of Trichome can be described as quite diff erent as from classic piano trios. One defi nition could be: experimental/electronic hip-hop/odd-meter-jazz, but the answer may be up to oneself after listening to Trichome.

less

Diego Pinera (drums)

Diego Pinera was born 1981 in Montevideo, Uruguay and has lived in Germany since 2003. He studied drumming at the Berklee College of Music (USA), at the University of Music in Havana (Cuba) and at the University of Music and Theater in Leipzig (Germany). Pinera’s encounters with Latin American music, and with jazz in all its breadth, have led him to develop an unmistakable style. Through the combination of his advanced conception of rhythm, a jazz sound with a Latin touch, and the freedom of improvisation his strong character comes across vividly. In Pinera´s compositions there is musical complexity and virtuosity in abundance imbued with great subtlety and his love to odd meter grooves. In Uruguay he recorded with the Diego Pinera...
more
Diego Pinera was born 1981 in Montevideo, Uruguay and has lived in Germany since 2003. He studied drumming at the Berklee College of Music (USA), at the University of Music in Havana (Cuba) and at the University of Music and Theater in Leipzig (Germany).
Pinera’s encounters with Latin American music, and with jazz in all its breadth, have led him to develop an unmistakable style. Through the combination of his advanced conception of rhythm, a jazz sound with a Latin touch, and the freedom of improvisation his strong character comes across vividly. In Pinera´s compositions there is musical complexity and virtuosity in abundance imbued with great subtlety and his love to odd meter grooves.
In Uruguay he recorded with the Diego Pinera Trio the album “Buscando” under the Perro Andaluz label. Back in Germany he founded the Berlin Quartet and released in 2010 “Reflexiones” featuring Tony Lakatos. In 2014 the Jazz Thing Next Generation Series “Strange Ways” followed. In May 2016 he went on the cd release tour for “My Picture” with Donny McCaslin and Phil Donkin.
In 2017 Diego Pinera received as bandleader and composer the prestigious prize ECHO Jazz for his album “My picture” in the category drums/ percussion national, recorded in New York with Mark Turner and Ben Street. His first ACT music album “Despertando” was released 2018 and his next ACT album “Odd Wisdom” feat. Donny McCaslin has been considerated for the finalist of the GRAMMY Music Awards 2021.
With this project he played at the Jazzbaltica 2022, live recorded by ZDF. In November 2022 he has been invited to play in 30th anniversary event of ACT at the Berlin Philharmonic together with Wolfgang Haffner, Nils Landgren and many more artists.
Diego Pinera won the German award Deutscher Jazzpreis 2023 for „Best Arrangement of the Year“ of Béla Bartók’s String Quartet No. 3, Sz. 85 and was also nominated for the best composition of the year with „Through Hell“.
Since 2022 he has taught at the University of Music Dresden “Carl Maria von Weber” and since 2023 at the University of applied sciences Osnabrück. He is also a first-call session/ sideman/ clinician and has been touring the world with many different settings and bands. He played with musicians like Donny McCaslin, Mark Turner, Ben Monder, Scott Colley and Ben Street. These brands have been represented by him as endorser: Yamaha Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Rohema, LP Percussion, SM Percussion und Musik Wein Ahead Armor Cases.

less

Composer(s)

Diego Pinera (drums)

Diego Pinera was born 1981 in Montevideo, Uruguay and has lived in Germany since 2003. He studied drumming at the Berklee College of Music (USA), at the University of Music in Havana (Cuba) and at the University of Music and Theater in Leipzig (Germany). Pinera’s encounters with Latin American music, and with jazz in all its breadth, have led him to develop an unmistakable style. Through the combination of his advanced conception of rhythm, a jazz sound with a Latin touch, and the freedom of improvisation his strong character comes across vividly. In Pinera´s compositions there is musical complexity and virtuosity in abundance imbued with great subtlety and his love to odd meter grooves. In Uruguay he recorded with the Diego Pinera...
more
Diego Pinera was born 1981 in Montevideo, Uruguay and has lived in Germany since 2003. He studied drumming at the Berklee College of Music (USA), at the University of Music in Havana (Cuba) and at the University of Music and Theater in Leipzig (Germany).
Pinera’s encounters with Latin American music, and with jazz in all its breadth, have led him to develop an unmistakable style. Through the combination of his advanced conception of rhythm, a jazz sound with a Latin touch, and the freedom of improvisation his strong character comes across vividly. In Pinera´s compositions there is musical complexity and virtuosity in abundance imbued with great subtlety and his love to odd meter grooves.
In Uruguay he recorded with the Diego Pinera Trio the album “Buscando” under the Perro Andaluz label. Back in Germany he founded the Berlin Quartet and released in 2010 “Reflexiones” featuring Tony Lakatos. In 2014 the Jazz Thing Next Generation Series “Strange Ways” followed. In May 2016 he went on the cd release tour for “My Picture” with Donny McCaslin and Phil Donkin.
In 2017 Diego Pinera received as bandleader and composer the prestigious prize ECHO Jazz for his album “My picture” in the category drums/ percussion national, recorded in New York with Mark Turner and Ben Street. His first ACT music album “Despertando” was released 2018 and his next ACT album “Odd Wisdom” feat. Donny McCaslin has been considerated for the finalist of the GRAMMY Music Awards 2021.
With this project he played at the Jazzbaltica 2022, live recorded by ZDF. In November 2022 he has been invited to play in 30th anniversary event of ACT at the Berlin Philharmonic together with Wolfgang Haffner, Nils Landgren and many more artists.
Diego Pinera won the German award Deutscher Jazzpreis 2023 for „Best Arrangement of the Year“ of Béla Bartók’s String Quartet No. 3, Sz. 85 and was also nominated for the best composition of the year with „Through Hell“.
Since 2022 he has taught at the University of Music Dresden “Carl Maria von Weber” and since 2023 at the University of applied sciences Osnabrück. He is also a first-call session/ sideman/ clinician and has been touring the world with many different settings and bands. He played with musicians like Donny McCaslin, Mark Turner, Ben Monder, Scott Colley and Ben Street. These brands have been represented by him as endorser: Yamaha Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Rohema, LP Percussion, SM Percussion und Musik Wein Ahead Armor Cases.

less

Press

... It is always about the equivalence of the three instruments, about a balance in which all participants obviously feel comfortable. Thus the musicians no longer function as a mere association of three outstanding soloists (which they could undoubtedly be), but as an organic, self-contained, coordinated unit.
Piano News, 01-9-2020

... The nine tracks have a lot in them, swing, bebop, rock and even Latin influences. This is not only pleasing, but also extremely exciting. You never know exactly where the journey will take you. There is no lack of groove at any point, yes, that's how modern jazz piano trio goes.
Concerto, 01-8-2020

... "Unknown Prophet" contains mainly moods and stories, as they could be written by everyday life, and packs them into a new, coherent construct...
Jazz n More, 01-7-2020

In short, "Unknown Prophet" is a rich trio album that reaches far above the surface.
Jazzenzo, 26-5-2020

Play album Play album

Often bought together with..

Dynamics In Meditation
Gianmarco Scaglia & Paul Wertico Quartet

You might also like..

Butter Bei Die Fische | JazzThing Next Generation Vol. 105
Red Hering
Underground Roller Coaster
Diego Pinera | Odd Wisdom
Folklore
Stefan Schöler Trio
Arugula | Jazz Thing Next Generation Vol. 103
Jonathan Salvi Arugula Sextet
Purple Sky
Vlado Grizelj
Porgy’s dream
Hans Lüdemann | Reiner Winterschladen
35 Years - Bundesjazzorchester
BuJazzO
Gnar Gnar Rad | Jazz Thing Next Generation Vol. 102
Gnar Gnar Rad
Narcis
Jonas Timm
Dedication II
Moisés P. Sánchez
Sunland
Olivier Le Goas
Prisma | Jazz Thing Next Generation Vol. 101
Clemens Gottwald