The new release follows the trio’s 2019 album ‘Synesthesia’, an exploration of the coming together of contemporary classical, jazz, and electronic music. The lead single from their first album ‘Interchange’ has been streamed over 157k times on Spotify alone. 

Drawn to jazz at a young age due to its emotional depth, Kappeyne’s early influences include John Coltrane, Joshua Redman, and the titans of bebop. Exposure to Western Classical music was the catalyst for the pianist’s falling in love with his instrument, and today he takes inspiration from the works of Debussy, Chopin, and Scriabin (whose first concerto Kappeyne has performed with a symphony orchestra!). 

“For me, music is a way to explore the spiritual side of life and to find peace and healing.”

Recorded in the warm living room of a French castle next to a crackling fire and a beloved dog, ‘Closer’ employs recording techniques popularized by the rising trend of ASMR including binaural recording to create a sense of intimacy. 

Ethereal contemporary classical harmony and emotive improvisations are heard alongside recordings of sounds from inside the castle and the surrounding nature to create a sense of calm and relaxation. Hypnotic rhythmic patterns, immersive electronic timbres and the textural accompaniment of Tijs Klaasen on bass and Wouter Kühne on drums support Kappeyne’s sparse, contemplative piano playing in a style that breaks down the boundaries between composition and spontaneity.

Coming together through their studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, ‘Closer’ coincides with the ensemble’s 10 year anniversary. Highly active members of the Netherland’s vibrant jazz scene, the trio have averaged 35 performances per year since 2017. Kappeyne is also a member of several other active ensembles including Alistair Payne’s Reflex, Mo van der Does’ Motet, Anti-Panopticon, the Tijs Klaassen Quintet, and Govreen/Sever.

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