Formed in 2022, the trio unites three deeply expressive and adventurous musicians with a shared passion for carefully crafted writing and the unpredictable beauty of spontaneity. Recorded live during their debut tour, the record captures the raw energy and intuitive interplay that defines their collective sound. 

“This album is the result of my vision and compositional approach, brought to life through a deep creative dialogue with Marilyn Crispell and Thommy Andersson,” says Østergaard-Nielsen. “I have always been fascinated by the tension between structure and freedom, and with this trio, I found a space where these elements coexist organically.”

Featuring eight original pieces, some compositions are built on simple motifs that expand into uncharted territory, while others take shape as through-composed pieces with space for spontaneous interpretation. The result is an immersive world where silence, sound, and movement interact, offering a fresh and evocative take on the classic piano trio format.

Marilyn Crispell – one of the most significant figures in avant-garde jazz – is known for her highly expressive, often impressionistic style heard alongside icons such as Anthony Braxton, Paul Motian, and Joe Lovano. With multiple critically acclaimed albums on ECM under her belt, this year she will be honored with the prestigious NEA Jazz Master Award, further solidifying her status as a transformative figure in modern jazz.

Thommy Andersson, a celebrated Swedish bassist with over 20 years of international collaboration, lends his deeply resonant and versatile playing to the trio. Having worked with legends like Yusef Lateef, Paul Bley, and Kenny Werner, Andersson’s rich tonal palette provides a steady yet exploratory foundation for the group’s improvisations.

Michala Østergaard-Nielsen, the visionary behind the trio, has been widely recognized for her distinctive compositional voice and improvisational depth. The first Dane to receive Sweden’s prestigious Jazzkanna award in 2018, she has been praised for her poetic and sensitive approach to music-making and drumming, and has collaborated with musicians such as Marc Ducret and Ra-Kalam Bob Moses.