Photo by Gergö Nyirö

Niko Seibold’s Elfton Ensemble (CH)

Jazz

The term ‘Northern European Jazz’ often conjures up images of open fjords accompanied by a spacious minimal soundscape alluding to the greatness of mountains and the insignificance of one’s existence. A humbling meditative introspection being the listeners emotional response. ‘Grow With The Flow’ evokes an evolutionary deeper reflection, encouraging the listener to imagine a world without borders, and inspires one to consider each individual’s responsibility in bringing border-less existence into fruition. A fine balance between quiet gentle pacing and a driving yet measured forward motion.

Niko’s writing seamlessly blends Hermetoesque and Turkish folkloric melodies, natural use of odd time grooves, delicate orchestration often with a nod to Mahavishnu Orchestra and the fiery sound of New York’s jazz scene. The rich tapestry of orchestrated layers, unpredictable ostinati and contrapuntal crossings is given spontaneous breath by Jérémie Krüttli (bass) and Paulo Almeida (drums) allowing each improvised section to fly, stratospherically.

An egoless composite of excellent musicians, fully present and invested. Every note heartfelt and altruistically meaningful. A universal expression of where we have come from and where we are heading. 'Grow With The Flow' is the true definition of ‘Modern Jazz’ in 2024. - Nikki Yeoh

Line Up
Song Yi Jeon - vocals
Anne-Lise Teruel - concert flute, alto flute, piccolo
Simon Spiess - tenor sax, bass clarinet
Fabian Willmann - tenor sax, bass clarinet
Alexandre Zanetta - french horn
Raphael Rossé - trombone, euphonium
Òscar Latorre - trumpet
Vincent Millioud - violin
Baptiste van de Wiele - violin
Güldeste Mamaç - viola
Ambrosius Huber - violoncello
Esther Sévérac - harp
Fabio Gouvea - acustic and electric guitar
Jim Hart - vibraphone, percussion
Jérémie Krüttli - double and electric bass
Paulo Almeida - drum set
Niko Seibold - compositions, arrangements and orchestrations, alto and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet

Live Fotos by Goffredo Loertscher

 
 

photo by Gergö Nyirö