The Alpine Session | Arbenz vs Arbenz Meets Ron Carter | February 21, 2025
Born into a musical family in 1975, twin brothers Michael and Florian Arbenz have developed a deep musical bond through a long history of creating music together. Recognised as leading figures in the Swiss jazz scene, the brothers have gone on to record alongside many of their greatest inspirations including Greg Osby, Dave Liebman, Marc Johnson, Kirk Lightsey, and Bennie Maupin.
Marking a new height in their artistic journey, their collaboration with legendary bassist Ron Carter ‘The Alpine Session: Arbenz vs Arbenz Meets Ron Carter’ is set to be released on February 21st on Hammer Recordings.
For Michael and Florian, Carter has been one of their most influential musical heroes. Miles Davis’s recordings featuring Carter were staples in the Arbenz household, played on repeat throughout their childhood. In their eyes, Carter embodied the groovy, adventurous, and open-minded spirit of jazz like no other living icon.
The six tracks on this recording showcase the individuality of Michael and Florian Arbenz’s playing, their deep reverence for jazz tradition, and the openness and youthful energy that Carter brings to his music. Remarkably, his age (87!) is never apparent in his spirited and engaging performances.
Playing four original pieces as well as two American Songbook classics – one arranged by Michael – , the trio explores a dynamic range of moods – playful upbeat swing, spacious ballads, and explorative no-holds-barred improvisation. Carter’s enthusiasm for musical challenge is evident, pushing the Arbenz brothers to reach new heights in their solos and dynamic interplay.
With colorful modern harmony, a diverse palette of propulsive grooves, and the palpable joy of three masters uniting their distinctive approaches, ‘The Alpine Session’ offers a fresh and forward-thinking take on straight-ahead jazz.
Line up
Michael Arbenz | Piano
Ron Carter | Double Bass
Florian Arbenz | Drums, Percussion
Track Listing
It Don’t Mean A Thing
Alive
Evolution
Lullaby
All The Things You Are
Old Shaman
PR Quotes
Jazzwise (UK)
“It seems Carter enjoyed the session – indeed, flanked by the Arbenz brothers on the album cover, he’s actually smiling”
Paris-move (FR)
“It is an album to be regarded as a museum-worthy masterpiece, where the beauty of art lies not only in discovery but in the contemplation of these daring interpretations.”
Salt-peanuts (DK)
“give musical freedom to their distinguished guests, while maintaining their own style and perspective on jazz history”
UK Vibe (UK)
“Contemporary jazz at its finest, “The Alpine Session” is a modern classic – a must-have for any jazz listener.”
Jazz, ese ruido (ES)
“timeless jazz, full of ideas and a rhythm that pays homage to tradition and is captivating. Highly recommended. ”
Blue in Green (UK)
“For ‘The Alpine Session’, the Arbenz-Arbenz-Carter trio offer up a fantastic six-track project that pulls together each of their vast affections for traditional jazz stylings while still affording them the creative freedoms to present contemporary twists through their compositions.”
Jazzism (NL)
” Anyone who is not convinced after the first 5 numbers will go down on their knees when listening to
Old Shaman . An inspired finale from a brand new and at the same time seasoned trio.”
Jazz in Family (IT)
“With
The Alpine Session , Arbenz and Ron Carter do more than just perform music: they explore it, question it, reinvent it.”
Valonkuvia (FI)
“The successful and balanced recording beautifully captures the trio’s elastic and swinging interplay.”
La Habitacion del Jazz (ES)
“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard something so good, so full of energy and vitality. A fascinating album full of classic jazz fused with contemporary jazz, tradition and innovation go hand in hand.”
All About Jazz (US)
“The album’s rippling soundscape radiates energy, with Carter driving the Arbenz brothers to ignite sparks and vice versa”
Jazz Views (UK)
“With its beautiful blend of tradition, innovation, and pure jazz mastery, THE ALPINE SESSION is a must-have for any serious jazz lover.”
Nettavisen (NO)
“What is especially nice to note is that the three meet as equal partners and as a trio that sounds like they have played together “always.””
Jazzma (HU)
“The sweeping improvisations and perfect collaboration between the musicians on the album immediately captivate the listener.”
Making a Scene (US)
“The artistic beauty and creative freedom in this album had me play it three times in a row. Enjoy!”
Jazznyt (DK)
“The Alpine Sessions is a successful meeting between one of jazz’s great gentlemen and two well-playing brothers.”
Donos (PL)
“Classics are immortal, you can say after listening to this album. Light swing, delicate ballad, a nod to improvisation – we can find all of this on “The Alpine Session”.“
Musik an sich (DE)
“this impressively performed music truly invites you to be experienced; it’s performed so lightly, casually, uncomplicatedly, and highly entertainingly, three musicians, three experts, create it together as if from a single mold!”
Musikreviews (DE)
“organic album that vibrates, moves, and weaves exciting material with the utmost ease. Great art, presented calmly and with deft ease.”
Jazzflits (NL)
“As far as I am concerned, these Arbenz brothers from Basel
may invite more jazz icons home.”
La Gazette Bleue (FR)
“great art to listen to urgently and to absolutely have in your record collection”
Cuttings
