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The Lights Are Always On

Lynne Arriale Trio

The Lights Are Always On

Price: € 19.95
Format: CD
Label: Challenge Records
UPC: 0608917353228
Catnr: CR 73532
Release date: 08 April 2022
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Label
Challenge Records
UPC
0608917353228
Catalogue number
CR 73532
Release date
08 April 2022

"... Lynne Arriale shines more with musical qualities, namely superb melody and rhythmic sovereignty..."

Pianonews, 29-8-2022
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Artist(s)
Composer(s)
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About the album

The Lights Are Always On is pianist/composer Lynne Arriale’s 16th album as leader, and her third recording on Challenge Records International. Lynne’s original music is a suite of compositions that reflect the world-wide, life-changing events of the past two years. Several of the pieces are named in honor of heroes around the world, including those who served as caregivers on the front lines of the COVID pandemic and as defenders of democracy.

On this session Lynne is joined by bassist/co-producer Jasper Somsen and drummer E.J. Strickland, both outstanding, in-demand musicians on the international jazz scene. The trio creates the sort of engrossing musical conversation that has become a trademark of Lynne’s groups.

Lynne’s ten original, highly evocative compositions begin with the persistent Afro-Cuban influenced “March On,” a tribute to activists worldwide. “The Lights Are Always On” features a lyrical melody in perpetual motion; the foundation of a thematic arc that soars over the entire piece. It is followed by the jubilant, gospel-influenced “Sisters.” Lynne’s dedication to Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman, “Honor,” is the melding of two engaging melodic ideas; each reinforcing the other. Together they convey the heroic character and unwavering strength of this American patriot. “Loved Ones” expresses joyful appreciation for those who are precious to us.

The set continues with “Sounds Like America,” where Lynne creates an optimistic melody and solo, culminating in a celebratory chordal finish. “The Notorious RBG,” is an exuberant dedication to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, assertively propelled by drummer E.J. Strickland. Following that, Lynne and Jasper deftly navigate the angular harmonic construction of “Into the Breach,” Lynne’s ominous remembrance of the January 6th Insurrection and the heroes that saved democracy on that day. “Walk in My Shoes,” a dedication to civil rights icon John Lewis, reflects the tenacity and strength of this remarkable leader. Lynne begins her solo with two motivic statements, which she skillfully integrates into a cohesive, powerful performance. The album concludes with “Heroes”, a heartfelt ballad composed in recognition of those who enlightened a very dark period in our history, and who embody the greatest humanistic virtues of mankind.

The title of the project was inspired by Dr. Prakash Gada, an esophageal and robotic surgeon in Tacoma, Washington. Lynne explained, “This collection was inspired by the doctor and all front-line health care workers. For me, Dr. Gada crystallized the workers’ heroism; each day bearing the risk of personal infection, and enduring the emotional toll of staggering caseloads presented by this global crisis. Nevertheless, the doctor said, ‘Here I am back at work after COVID...I fled Kuwait after the invasion. No matter what happens, no one works at home. The lights are always on. Babies are being born; bones are being set. This hospital, this profession…..we are in a league of our own; we’ll take care of you, I promise. I stand next to the most fearless people I have ever seen.’ ”

“Dr. Gada’s words deeply moved me and evoked memories of 9/11. In the aftermath of that attack, I remembered the rescue workers who ran into the towers without hesitation or concern for their personal safety, and thought, ‘Who are these angels?’ Clearly, the angels of our time are Dr. Gada and all health care workers, professionals and volunteers alike, who battle COVID-19.

“Dr. Gada’s ‘lights’ illuminate hospitals and emergency care facilities. But there is also spiritual light in the humanity, compassion, and courage of Dr. Gada and all our angels; shining brightly and eternally, even in the midst of devastation and loss.”

“There is always reason to believe in that light; the inherent goodness of people. It shines in those leaders who spoke truth to power and stood up for what is right. They changed the world, often jeopardizing their careers, and in some cases, their lives.

“In appreciation of these heroes I offer this musical tribute. It is dedicated to our loved ones, and to our better angels; those who embrace truth, compassion, and inclusivity, and reject selfishness, lies, and hatred. It also acknowledges the marchers, my beautiful sisters worldwide, and the heroes of science and medicine who have sacrificed so much.

"The album also expresses my special admiration for the character of Representative John Lewis, Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the patriots of the Capitol Police who stepped into the breach risking their lives to defend our elected representatives and our democracy during the January 6, 2021 Insurrection.”

The Lights Are Always On ist das 16. Album der Pianistin/Komponistin Lynne Arriale und ihre dritte Aufnahme bei Challenge Records International. Lynnes Originalmusik ist eine Suite von Kompositionen, die die weltweiten, lebensverändernden Ereignisse der letzten zwei Jahre widerspiegeln. Einige der Stücke sind zu Ehren von Helden auf der ganzen Welt benannt, einschließlich derer, die als Pfleger an der Front der COVID-Pandemie und als Verteidiger der Demokratie dienten.

Bei dieser Session wird Lynne von dem Bassisten und Co-Produzenten Jasper Somsen und dem Schlagzeuger E.J. Strickland unterstützt, beides hervorragende und gefragte Musiker in der internationalen Jazzszene. Das Trio schafft die Art von fesselnder musikalischer Konversation, die zu einem Markenzeichen von Lynnes Gruppen geworden ist.
Lynnes zehn originelle, höchst eindrucksvolle Kompositionen beginnen mit dem anhaltenden afro-kubanisch beeinflussten March On", einer Hommage an Aktivisten weltweit. "The Lights Are Always On" zeichnet sich durch eine lyrische Melodie in ständiger Bewegung aus; die Grundlage eines thematischen Bogens, der sich über das gesamte Stück spannt. Es folgt das jubilierende, gospelbeeinflusste "Sisters". Lynne's Widmung an Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman, "Honor", ist die Verschmelzung zweier einnehmender melodischer Ideen, die sich gegenseitig verstärken. Zusammen vermitteln sie den heldenhaften Charakter und die unerschütterliche Stärke dieses amerikanischen Patrioten. "Loved Ones" drückt die freudige Wertschätzung für diejenigen aus, die uns wichtig sind.
Das Set wird mit "Sounds Like America" fortgesetzt, wo Lynne eine optimistische Melodie und ein Solo kreiert, die in einem feierlichen Akkordfinale gipfeln. "The Notorious RBG" ist eine überschwängliche Widmung an Ruth Bader Ginsburg, die von Schlagzeuger E.J. Strickland kraftvoll vorangetrieben wird. Danach navigieren Lynne und Jasper geschickt durch die kantige harmonische Konstruktion von "Into the Breach", Lynnes unheilvolle Erinnerung an den Aufstand vom 6. Januar und die Helden, die an diesem Tag die Demokratie retteten. "Walk in My Shoes", eine Widmung an die Bürgerrechtsikone John Lewis, spiegelt die Hartnäckigkeit und Stärke dieses bemerkenswerten Führers wider. Lynne beginnt ihr Solo mit zwei motivischen Aussagen, die sie gekonnt in eine zusammenhängende, kraftvolle Darbietung integriert. Das Album schließt mit "Heroes", einer gefühlvollen Ballade, die in Anerkennung derjenigen komponiert wurde, die eine sehr dunkle Periode in unserer Geschichte erhellten und die größten humanistischen Tugenden der Menschheit verkörpern.
Der Titel des Projekts wurde von Dr. Prakash Gada inspiriert, einem Speiseröhren- und Roboterchirurgen in Tacoma, Washington. Lynne erklärt: "Diese Kollektion wurde von dem Arzt und allen Mitarbeitern des Gesundheitswesens inspiriert. Für mich ist Dr. Gada der Inbegriff des Heldentums der Mitarbeiter, die jeden Tag das Risiko einer persönlichen Ansteckung auf sich nehmen und den emotionalen Tribut der überwältigenden Fallzahlen in dieser globalen Krise ertragen. Dennoch sagte der Arzt: "Hier bin ich wieder bei der Arbeit nach COVID... Ich bin nach der Invasion aus Kuwait geflohen. Egal, was passiert, niemand arbeitet zu Hause. Die Lichter sind immer an. Babys werden geboren, Knochen werden eingerenkt. Dieses Krankenhaus, dieser Beruf.....wir spielen in einer eigenen Liga; wir werden uns um Sie kümmern, das verspreche ich." Ich stehe neben den furchtlosesten Menschen, die ich je gesehen habe. "Dr. Gadas Worte haben mich tief bewegt und Erinnerungen an den 11. September wachgerufen. Nach diesem Anschlag erinnerte ich mich an die Rettungskräfte, die ohne zu zögern oder sich um ihre persönliche Sicherheit zu sorgen in die Türme rannten, und dachte: 'Wer sind diese Engel?' Die Engel unserer Zeit sind eindeutig Dr. Gada und alle Mitarbeiter des Gesundheitswesens, Fachleute und Freiwillige gleichermaßen, die gegen COVID-19 kämpfen.
"Dr. Gadas 'Lichter' erhellen Krankenhäuser und Notfallversorgungseinrichtungen. Aber es gibt auch ein spirituelles Licht in der Menschlichkeit, dem Mitgefühl und dem Mut von Dr. Gada und all unseren Engeln, die selbst inmitten von Verwüstung und Verlust hell und ewig leuchten."
"Es gibt immer einen Grund, an dieses Licht zu glauben, an die angeborene Güte der Menschen. Es leuchtet in jenen Führungspersönlichkeiten, die der Macht die Wahrheit sagten und für das Richtige eintraten. Sie haben die Welt verändert und dabei oft ihre Karriere und in manchen Fällen ihr Leben aufs Spiel gesetzt.
"In Würdigung dieser Helden biete ich diese musikalische Hommage an. Sie ist unseren Lieben und unseren besseren Engeln gewidmet, denjenigen, die die Wahrheit, das Mitgefühl und die Inklusivität schätzen und Egoismus, Lügen und Hass ablehnen. Es würdigt auch die Demonstranten, meine wunderbaren Schwestern auf der ganzen Welt, und die Helden der Wissenschaft und Medizin, die so viel geopfert haben.
"Das Album drückt auch meine besondere Bewunderung für den Charakter des Abgeordneten John Lewis, Oberstleutnant Alexander Vindman, die Richterin am Obersten Gerichtshof Ruth Bader Ginsburg und die Patrioten der Capitol Police aus, die in die Bresche gesprungen sind und ihr Leben riskiert haben, um unsere gewählten Vertreter und unsere Demokratie während des Aufstandes am 6. Januar 2021 zu verteidigen."

Artist(s)

Lynne Arriale (piano)

Pianist/composer Lynne Arriale’s career is graced by a love of melody and a joy of musical discovery. Arriale has performed on international concert and festival stages over the past 25 years. The consummate storyteller, she immediately connects with her listeners. JazzTimes wrote, 'She achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale’s emotional authenticity allows her audience to feel and think along with her… Lynne Arriale’s music lies at the synaptic intersection where brain meets heart, where body meets soul. She is one of jazzdom’s most intensely unique voices.' At the core of Arriale’s appeal is her ability to communicate with her band and listeners. 'The poet laureate of her generation” (Jazz Police), her performances...
more
Pianist/composer Lynne Arriale’s career is graced by a love of melody and a joy of musical discovery. Arriale has performed on international concert and festival stages over the past 25 years. The consummate storyteller, she immediately connects with her listeners. JazzTimes wrote, "She achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale’s emotional authenticity allows her audience to feel and think along with her… Lynne Arriale’s music lies at the synaptic intersection where brain meets heart, where body meets soul. She is one of jazzdom’s most intensely unique voices." At the core of Arriale’s appeal is her ability to communicate with her band and listeners. "The poet laureate of her generation” (Jazz Police), her performances and recordings with her trio led to comparisons with the great trios of Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, yet she has been consistently praised as having a "singular voice" as a pianist, leader, composer, and arranger. "I really can’t compare her to anyone," said recent collaborator and multi-Grammy winner Randy Brecker. "Her music transcends the word ‘jazz’ – it is just pure music." Arriale was the first prize winner of the 1993 International Great American Jazz Piano Competition, and soon launched her touring and recording career. Her 13 CDs as a leader have topped the Jazzweek Radio Charts; Inspiration and Arise reached #1 and Come Together #3, Nuance #4 and were included on numerous "Best Of" lists, including The New Yorker and United Press International. Her tenth trio recording, LIVE (CD/DVD) was named one of UPI’s Best Jazz CDs and among The New Yorker Magazine’s Best CDs of the year. Solo was named one of the top CDs of 2012 by JAZZIZ Magazine, and Convergence was named one of the top 50 CDs of 2011 by JazzTimes. Arriale was #13 and #17 in the piano category for the 2015 and 2016 Downbeat Reader's Poll.
She was selected to substitute for Marian McPartland with the 100 Golden Fingers tour of Japan with iconic jazz pianists Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Monty Alexander, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Harold Mabern, Roger Kellaway, Junior Mance and Ray Bryant. Arriale has performed and/or recorded with jazz greats Randy Brecker, George Mraz, Benny Golson, Rufus Reid and Marian McPartland, to name a few. Her international performances on concert and festival stages include the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Montreux, Burghausen, Gilmore, Spoleto Arts, Montreal, Monterey, North Sea, Stuttgart, Pori, San Francisco, Ottawa, Zagreb, Perth, Brisbane, Rouen, Cannes MIDEM, Sardinia, Rochester, Wigan, Poznan, Estoril, Palermo, Inverness, Cork and San Javier. Arriale has toured Brazil, Germany, Austria, Serbia, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, France, Belgium,The Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Australia, Japan, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, China, South Africa and the U.S.
Arriale’s live TV and radio appearances and concert performances include Profile of a Recording Artist, NPR’s Weekend Edition, Jazz Set, Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland, NPR’s Jazz Piano Christmas, CNN/FN Biz, the BBC, Radio France and German National Television.Press features include Billboard, Downbeat, JazzTimes, JAZZIZ, BBC Magazine, The London Times and cover stories for JazzEd, One Way and M Magazines.
A devoted educator and Yamaha artist, Arriale is currently Professor of Jazz Studies and Director of Small Ensembles at The University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
“Lynne Arriale’s remarkable career is graced by a rare commitment to authenticity and vulnerability defined by careful craft and high artistic standards. It is precisely this willingness to remain so emotionally exposed that makes her performances so accessible to music lovers of all kinds” (All About Jazz).

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Lynne Arriale Trio

The Lynne Arriale Trio, featuring renowned Dutch musicians, Jasper Somsen and Hans van Oosterhout will be making its debut in the fall of 2017. This transatlantic collaboration creates a fresh and exciting exploration of Lynne Arriale's musical world. Pianist/composer Lynne Arriale's career is graced by a love of melody and a joy of musical discovery. Arriale has performed on international concert and festival stages over the past 25 years. The consummate storyteller, she immediately connects with her listeners. JazzTimes wrote, 'She achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale's emotional authenticity allows her audience to feel and think along with her.'   At the core of Arriale's appeal is her ability to communicate with her band and...
more
The Lynne Arriale Trio, featuring renowned Dutch musicians, Jasper Somsen and Hans van Oosterhout will be making its debut in the fall of 2017. This transatlantic collaboration creates a fresh and exciting exploration of Lynne Arriale's musical world.
Pianist/composer Lynne Arriale's career is graced by a love of melody and a joy of musical discovery. Arriale has performed on international concert and festival stages over the past 25 years. The consummate storyteller, she immediately connects with her listeners. JazzTimes wrote, "She achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale's emotional authenticity allows her audience to feel and think along with her." At the core of Arriale's appeal is her ability to communicate with her band and listeners. "The poet laureate of her generation" (Jazz Police), her performances and recordings with her trio have led to comparisons with the great trios of Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, yet she has been consistently praised as having a "singular voice" as a pianist, leader, composer, and arranger. "I really can't compare her to anyone," said recent collaborator and multi-Grammy winner Randy Brecker. "Her music transcends the word 'jazz' - it is just pure music." With a style that is vibrant, lyrical and intimate, with a great joy of musical discovery, the Lynne Arriale Trio provides an exhilarating musical experience that touches hearts and minds. The trio is known for reimagining the classics of The Great American Songbook, modern popular classics by the Beatles, Sting and Blondie, playful deconstructions of the tunes of Thelonious Monk and Lynne's own highly melodic and compelling compositions. With each note, her touch and her musical imagination, she has created a sound and a musical voice that is uniquely her own.
Lynne Arriale has toured the world with her trio throughout Brazil, Germany, Austria, Serbia, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, France, Belgium,The Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Australia, Japan, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, China, South Africa and the U.S. In addition to her trio work, Lynne has toured with jazz piano icons, Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Monty Alexander, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Harold Mabern, Roger Kellaway, Junior Mance and Ray Bryant. She has performed and/or recorded with jazz greats Randy Brecker, George Mraz, Benny Golson, Rufus Reid, Marian McPartland and Larry Coryell.
The world's great jazz festivals and concert stages have invited Lynne to perform, including five performances at the Kennedy Center and additional performances at Lincoln Center, Montreux, Burghausen, Gilmore, Spoleto Arts, Montreal, Monterey, North Sea, Stuttgart, Pori, San Francisco, Ottawa, Zagreb, Perth, Brisbane, Rouen, Cannes MIDEM, Sardinia, Rochester, Wigan, Poznan, Estoril, Palermo, Inverness, Cork and San Javier.
Lynne was the first prize winner of the 1993 International Great American Jazz Piano Competition. Her 13 CDs as a leader have topped the Jazzweek Radio Charts; Inspiration and Arise reached #1 and Come Together #3, Nuance #4 and were included on numerous "Best Of" lists, including The New Yorker and United Press International. Her tenth trio recording, LIVE (CD/DVD) was named one of UPI's Best Jazz CDs and among The New Yorker Magazine's Best CDs of the year. Solo was named one of the top CDs of 2012 by JAZZIZ Magazine, and Convergence was named one of the top 50 CDs of 2011 by JazzTimes. Arriale was #13 and #17 in the piano category for the 2015 and 2016 Downbeat Reader's Poll.
A devoted educator, Lynne Arriale has conducted educational clinics and masterclasses throughout the world and is currently Professor of Jazz Studies and Director of Small Ensembles at The University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Lynne is thrilled to be collaborating with such extraordinary musicians as Jasper and Hans. Jasper Somsen Double bassist/composer/producer, Jasper Somsen, has performed and/or recorded with some of the world's most renowned jazz musicians, such as Enrico Pieranunzi, Joey Calderazzo, Jeff Ballard, John Beasley, Jean-Michel Pilc, Bob Sheppard, Justin Faulkner, André Ceccarelli, Gabriele Mirabassi, Bert Joris, Bert van den Brink, Ramón Valle, Toon Roos, Karel Boehlee, John Engels, Yuri Honing and Eric Vloeimans.
Jasper has performed on concert and festival stages throughout the world and can be heard on more than 30 albums. His playing and compositions have earned him high critical acclaim in the international press. In addition to performing, Jasper is frequently invited as a guest teacher at the conservatories in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Arnhem.
Hans van Oosterhout is one of the most sought after Dutch Jazz drummers from the last decades. He has performed and/or recorded world wide with international jazz icons Toots Thielemans, Philip Catherine, Ralph Moore, Mark Murphy, Nat Adderley, Bob Malach, Lee Konitz, Rick Margitza, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Wheeler, Gary Burton, Benny Golson, James Moody, Marc Johnson, Benny Golson, Eliane Elias, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Richard Galliano, Chico Free, Von Freeman, Lionel Loueke, David Sanchez, Johnny Griffin, Randy Brecker, John Scofield, Enrico Pieranunzi and Gino Vannelli. Hans teaches at the conservatories in Rotterdam and Tilburg, The Netherlands. Hans van Oosterhout Hans van Oosterhout is one of the most sought after Dutch Jazz drummers from the last decades. He has performed and/or recorded world wide with international jazz icons Toots Thielemans, Philip Catherine, Ralph Moore, Mark Murphy, Nat Adderley, Bob Malach, Lee Konitz, Rick Margitza, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Wheeler, Gary Burton, Benny Golson, James Moody, Marc Johnson, Benny Golson, Eliane Elias, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Richard Galliano, Chico Free, Von Freeman, Lionel Loueke, David Sanchez, Johnny Griffin, Randy Brecker, John Scofield, Enrico Pieranunzi and Gino Vannelli. Hans teaches at the conservatories in Rotterdam and Tilburg, The Netherlands. What the critics are saying: Lynne Arriale's music lies at the synaptic intersection where brain meets heart, where body meets soul. She is one of jazzdom's most intensely unique voices. -- JazzTimes The poet laureate of her generation -- Jazz Police A singular voice as a pianist and leader ... a powerhouse. -- Downbeat Lynne Arriale is putting the heart back into jazz. -- The Sunday Times, London A great organic pianist and composer whose beautiful and muscular playing ranks with Mehldau and Bill Evans. -- L.A. Weekly Lynne Arriale's brilliant musicianship and bandstand instincts place her among the top jazz pianists of the day. -- New York Times She belongs among the poets. Truly distinctive, her improvisations weave a seductive combination of lyricism and muscle. -- The London Times This sound comes straight from the spirit. She holds the audience spellbound. -- Jazz Improv There may be no jazz artist working today who brings a broader spectrum of musical ideas to the connection of mind and heart. -- Jazz Police Lynne Arriale has developed a reputation for being an intelligently harmonic and effortlessly lyrical pianist, orbiting in the same rarified sphere as Fred Hersch, Alan Broadbent, and the late Tommy Flanagan. -- All About Jazz Lynne Arriale creates difficulties for reviewers: how to find fresh superlatives for a pianist who maintains such extraordinarily high standards? There is a handful of jazz pianists that I would gladly listen to all night long. Those master craftsmen Ahmad Jamal and John Bunch immediately come to mind. Arriale makes three. -- The Sunday Times, London Known for their signature sound, creative interplay, and joyous enthusiasm, Lynne and her musicians seemed to be inventing out of a shared metabolism. -- The Boston Globe. Lynne Arriale is a monster of a piano player-a gentle monster. She swings as hard as anyone but in a modern way. She can play soft and gentle like Bill Evans or loud and heavy like Monk or McCoy Tyner, and her harmonies are extraordinarily rich. She is an explorer, and a true artist, with a very unique voice and her ego seems to be completely out of the picture, allowing her to take musical explorations that only such humility can get you a ticket for. And to top it off, she writes beautiful melodies that are memorable and singable, yet with mindboggling harmonic richness. -- Jazz Improv Magazine
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Jasper Somsen (double bass)

Dutch double bassist, composer and producer Jasper Somsen (1973) graduated in both Jazz and Classical double bass. He is an open minded versatile musician. Best known as a Jazz musician his field of interest and expertise also includes cross overs to classical, pop, world and film music and theater productions. Jasper has collaborated with some of the very best musicians on the international jazz scene including Peter Erskine, Enrico Pieranunzi, Joey Calderazzo, Jeff Ballard, John Beasley, Jean-Michel Pilc, Eric Marienthal, Bob Sheppard, Seamus Blake, Jorge Rossy, Kendrick Scott, Justin Faulkner, André Ceccarelli, Gary Husband, Gabriele Mirabassi and Paolo Fresu. Besides a performer and composer, Jasper Somsen is a Challenge Records artist and a renowned studio producer. Jasper performs world wide and can be...
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Dutch double bassist, composer and producer Jasper Somsen (1973) graduated in both Jazz and Classical double bass. He is an open minded versatile musician. Best known as a Jazz musician his field of interest and expertise also includes cross overs to classical, pop, world and film music and theater productions.

Jasper has collaborated with some of the very best musicians on the international jazz scene including Peter Erskine, Enrico Pieranunzi, Joey Calderazzo, Jeff Ballard, John Beasley, Jean-Michel Pilc, Eric Marienthal, Bob Sheppard, Seamus Blake, Jorge Rossy, Kendrick Scott, Justin Faulkner, André Ceccarelli, Gary Husband, Gabriele Mirabassi and Paolo Fresu.

Besides a performer and composer, Jasper Somsen is a Challenge Records artist and a renowned studio producer. Jasper performs world wide and can be heard on more than 45 albums, video and film music scores. Outside a busy playing and studio producing schedule he is an educator at the ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem (NL) and the general director of the foundation Cultural City of Wageningen, in his hometown.


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Composer(s)

Lynne Arriale (piano)

Pianist/composer Lynne Arriale’s career is graced by a love of melody and a joy of musical discovery. Arriale has performed on international concert and festival stages over the past 25 years. The consummate storyteller, she immediately connects with her listeners. JazzTimes wrote, 'She achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale’s emotional authenticity allows her audience to feel and think along with her… Lynne Arriale’s music lies at the synaptic intersection where brain meets heart, where body meets soul. She is one of jazzdom’s most intensely unique voices.' At the core of Arriale’s appeal is her ability to communicate with her band and listeners. 'The poet laureate of her generation” (Jazz Police), her performances...
more
Pianist/composer Lynne Arriale’s career is graced by a love of melody and a joy of musical discovery. Arriale has performed on international concert and festival stages over the past 25 years. The consummate storyteller, she immediately connects with her listeners. JazzTimes wrote, "She achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale’s emotional authenticity allows her audience to feel and think along with her… Lynne Arriale’s music lies at the synaptic intersection where brain meets heart, where body meets soul. She is one of jazzdom’s most intensely unique voices." At the core of Arriale’s appeal is her ability to communicate with her band and listeners. "The poet laureate of her generation” (Jazz Police), her performances and recordings with her trio led to comparisons with the great trios of Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, yet she has been consistently praised as having a "singular voice" as a pianist, leader, composer, and arranger. "I really can’t compare her to anyone," said recent collaborator and multi-Grammy winner Randy Brecker. "Her music transcends the word ‘jazz’ – it is just pure music." Arriale was the first prize winner of the 1993 International Great American Jazz Piano Competition, and soon launched her touring and recording career. Her 13 CDs as a leader have topped the Jazzweek Radio Charts; Inspiration and Arise reached #1 and Come Together #3, Nuance #4 and were included on numerous "Best Of" lists, including The New Yorker and United Press International. Her tenth trio recording, LIVE (CD/DVD) was named one of UPI’s Best Jazz CDs and among The New Yorker Magazine’s Best CDs of the year. Solo was named one of the top CDs of 2012 by JAZZIZ Magazine, and Convergence was named one of the top 50 CDs of 2011 by JazzTimes. Arriale was #13 and #17 in the piano category for the 2015 and 2016 Downbeat Reader's Poll.
She was selected to substitute for Marian McPartland with the 100 Golden Fingers tour of Japan with iconic jazz pianists Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Monty Alexander, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Harold Mabern, Roger Kellaway, Junior Mance and Ray Bryant. Arriale has performed and/or recorded with jazz greats Randy Brecker, George Mraz, Benny Golson, Rufus Reid and Marian McPartland, to name a few. Her international performances on concert and festival stages include the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Montreux, Burghausen, Gilmore, Spoleto Arts, Montreal, Monterey, North Sea, Stuttgart, Pori, San Francisco, Ottawa, Zagreb, Perth, Brisbane, Rouen, Cannes MIDEM, Sardinia, Rochester, Wigan, Poznan, Estoril, Palermo, Inverness, Cork and San Javier. Arriale has toured Brazil, Germany, Austria, Serbia, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, France, Belgium,The Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Australia, Japan, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, China, South Africa and the U.S.
Arriale’s live TV and radio appearances and concert performances include Profile of a Recording Artist, NPR’s Weekend Edition, Jazz Set, Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland, NPR’s Jazz Piano Christmas, CNN/FN Biz, the BBC, Radio France and German National Television.Press features include Billboard, Downbeat, JazzTimes, JAZZIZ, BBC Magazine, The London Times and cover stories for JazzEd, One Way and M Magazines.
A devoted educator and Yamaha artist, Arriale is currently Professor of Jazz Studies and Director of Small Ensembles at The University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
“Lynne Arriale’s remarkable career is graced by a rare commitment to authenticity and vulnerability defined by careful craft and high artistic standards. It is precisely this willingness to remain so emotionally exposed that makes her performances so accessible to music lovers of all kinds” (All About Jazz).

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Press

... Lynne Arriale shines more with musical qualities, namely superb melody and rhythmic sovereignty...
Pianonews, 29-8-2022

The American Lynne Arriale has been one of the great poets on the piano for decades...
Jazzthing, 23-8-2022

The Lights Are Always On" is a record that can be read on many levels. Without any arrogance or pomposity, energetic and determined at the same time,...
jazzfun, 27-5-2022

... Her music has something refreshing, unforeseen, not predictable. It is these fluid changes of color, these fleeting shadings in sound, these quiet, delicate, lyrical conquests of space that inspire...  
kultkomplott, 08-4-2022

In this album, she also wants to believe in the hope and in the goodness of the people... To this end, the trio delivers us an intimate, classy jazz from which the rough edges are absent and where the muffled side is the obvious line of conduct... This is therefore easy listening jazz from which sometimes emerges a bit of melodic pop which is reminiscent of the efficient side of Elton John.
JazzMania, 01-11-2022

... The modal develops a powerful pull with her, the harmonic goes refined ways ... Positive power that does justice to the pathos of the message.
Fidelity, 30-9-2022

Don’t worry: you can enjoy this delightful album without any political knowledge. It is a subtle form of art that speaks to the heart with an optimistic, upbeat undertone.
Cosmopolis, 27-6-2022

Airplay
Radio Dreyeckland, 05-6-2022

...the latest and most compelling album of Arriale’s career...
Downbeat, 01-6-2022

... On The Lights Are Always On the music flows much more calmly, it seems anthemic in a certain way, also peppered with influences from gospel...
musikansich, 01-6-2022

... Lynne Arriale freed herself through perseverance, straightforwardness and focus: the covers of her albums have also looked like they were made of one piece for years...
NDR, 25-5-2022

Sometimes albums based on contemporaneous events or individuals are a slog to get through. But Arriale has developed the music with the listener in mind and it is a welcome addition to the genre.
The New York City Jazz Record, 20-5-2022

It is a personal, honest and passionate album.
Le Soir Belgique, 04-5-2022

The title number salutes frontline workers who labor(ed) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with the kind of upliftingly melodic lilt so often characterizing her compositions.
Shepherd Express, 28-4-2022

Like the aptly titled “Sounds Like America”—do I hear Copland?—it’s imbued with strains of folkish Americana, melodies that Arriale effectively voices, unravels, and then puts back together again.
JazzTimes, 25-4-2022

Arialle’s powerful rhythmic integrity and innovating improvisations drive this compelling anthem. Jasper Somsen’s lyrical bass solo generates beauty and peace while E.J. Strickland’s creative and dynamic-filled drumming seals the deal.
The WholeNote, 22-4-2022

The result is a powerful collection of songs performed by a like-minded trio of depth and musicality.
Jazz Sensibilities, 20-4-2022

After so many years of experience, her playing is rich, broad and subtle and technically of a high level.
Jazzflits, 18-4-2022

Arriale starts her solo gently before arching into a series of pentatonic figures and quick motifs that shift around the chords. Strickland is interactive, and together the trio builds a beautiful solo for Arriale.
C.U.R. Jazz, 12-4-2022

 She achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale’s emotional authenticity allows her audience to feel and think along with her.
Isthmus, 02-4-2022

Arriale’s tunes are deeply melodic, and her piano touch is pure, swinging, and makes use of “space,” much like Tommy Flanagan, and Hank Jones.
Audiophile Audition - Lynne Arriale Trio, 26-3-2022

Arriale’s finely attuned and powerful playing and arrangements eloquently expanded upon the implications of those verses by two of our nation’s supreme songwriters. 
Kerverncular, 26-3-2022

The power of this album lies in the imperceptible communication between these three artists.
Paris Move, 06-3-2022

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Often bought together with..

Voyage in Time
Enrico Pieranunzi | Jasper Somsen
Coming Yesterday - Live at Salle Gaveau 2019
Martial Solal
Chimes of Freedom
Lynne Arriale Trio
Common View
Enrico Pieranunzi
The Fine Line
Bob Sheppard
Give Us These Days
Lynne Arriale Trio

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