Totem - 2024 Danish April Label 9-track CD

Beginning in the 60’s, the small chamber group ensemble became increasingly important in the advancement of jazz, enabling horn players including Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, and Ornette Coleman to seek uncharted sonic territories and achieve new levels of freedom without the support of chordal instruments.

Presenting their contemporary perspective on the saxophone trio, the debut release from Christian Holm-Svendsen, Daniel Sommer and Mariusz Praśniewski, ‘Totem’ is set to release on June 7th on April Records.

With a mature, cohesive ensemble sound, the young trio juxtaposes tranquility and space with energy and tenacity across nine original compositions showcasing their stylistic breadth. From the swinging waltz ‘December’ with a melodic contour reminiscent of a jazz standard, the soothing folk-influenced simplicity of ‘Vent’, the intimate lyrical interplay between bass and clarinet in ‘Duo’, to the heavy, propulsive power of the title track, the trio demonstrates fearlessness, listening, and spontaneity in a raw and personal recording that puts each of their distinctive voices in the spotlight.

Christian Holm-Svendsen, currently resides in New York, studying for a master of music at Manhattan School of Music. In Denmark he played with, among others, The Danish Radio Big Band, Copenhagen Jazz Orchestra, Odense Jazz Orchestra, Jesper Zeuthen, and Regnfang.

Daniel Sommer is an award-winning artist and sought-after drummer on the international jazz scene. Known for crossing the borders of different musical landscapes with a distinctive musical approach, Sommer currently performs with Karmen Rõivassepp Quartet, Foyn/Hess/AC/Sommer and recently released the trio album ‘From Within’ with Arild Andersen and Rob Luft on April Records.

Mariusz Praśniewski is a Polish double bass player, residing in Copenhagen. A part of the Danish and European jazz scene for more than a decade, the bassist has worked with musicians like Tomasz Dabrowski, Anders Mogensen, and Gilad Hekselman. 

Tracklisting.

1. December 04:32
2. Vind og vejr 05:23
3. Dvale 03:09
4. Vent 04:01
5. Duo 02:01
6. Totem 05:02
7. Per Aspera Ad Astra 05:49
8. 5 Foot 4 05:49
9. Ba Da Da Di 03:33