Espen Eriksen Trio

Espen Eriksen Trio & Andy Sheppard – As Good As It Gets (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · October 12, 2023 · Comments off

The combination of Espen Eriksen Trio and UK saxophone giant Andy Sheppard is truly a match made in jazz heaven, or in the words of Andy: “I knew from the first time I heard the trio play that I would fit right in. I loved the melodic sense and vibe and was thrilled when I was invited to guest with the trio in London in 2016”. This led to the very popular and critically acclaimed Perfectly Unhappy album in 2018, and now we are proud to introduce As Good As It Gets, the quite brilliant follow-up. It´s fair to say that the new album finds the trio slightly more lively and sunny in parts, still highly melodic and lyrical, often with a typically Nordic melancholic signature (check the Grieg nod in album closer “Drifting Clouds”). Eriksen is a master of catchy tunes and when Sheppard adds his inimitable playing to the trio´s minimalistic approach, pure magic is created.

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Espen Eriksen Trio – End of Summer (2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · January 18, 2023 · Comments off

After the highly successful “Perfectly Unhappy” (2018) album with Andy Sheppard, the trio is back with a new album featuring seven brand new songs from the pianist. Captivating and lyrical, always melodic and often melancholic and uplifting at the same time, these are all real tunes. The music has a rich sense of melody coupled with a poignant lyricism that is infectious… the symbiosis between the saxophonist and the trio is truly remarkable. All About Jazz “End Of Summer” was recorded in Oslo in April during lockdown. After getting all their concerts cancelled because of the pandemic, Espen says it was very inspiring to still be able to meet in a recording studio to make new music and keep it all alive. This being their first recording in five years as a trio, Espen is also keen to stress that the collaboration with Andy was not a one-off and that the plan is to “continue working together for a very long time”. Espen Eriksen Trio was formed in 2007 and released their debut album in 2010, “End Of Summer” being their fifth. They have toured on four continents, becoming an increasingly popular live act, with a wealth of rich material on their repertoire. The music relies on highlymelodic and lyrical instrumentals and a “less is more” approach and is often credited for its unique voice within today’s jazz scene bythe international press.

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Espen Eriksen Trio – In the Mountains (2022) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Studio Masters By admin · July 4, 2022 · Comments off

A popular concert attraction in Norway through Europe, Russia and South East Asia, the trio have constantly been asked when they will release a concert recording. Five of the seven tracks were recorded live in concert at Oslo´s Nasjonal Jazzscene in 2018 and 2020, one at a special one-off intimate concert at Propeller Music Division in Oslo in 2020 and one in Poznan, Poland, in 2021. Six of the seven tracks are extended versions of Eriksen originals from four of the studio albums, adding instrumental vividness as well as dramatic and moving elements to the event. The seventh is a splendid cover of Krzysztof Komeda´s iconic Rosemary´s Baby.

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