Winther / Andersson / Watts | WAW! | June 7, 2024
Release: June 7, 2024
Following a series of electrifying concerts in 2023, internationally celebrated instrumentalists Carl Winther, Richard Andersson and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts present their recorded debut ‘WAW!’. A vibrant amalgamation of the American and Danish modern jazz idioms, the record is set to release on June 7th.
The story behind this trio begins back in 2008, when Andersson joined ‘Tain’ in a jazz workshop in Denmark. That encounter sparked admiration, culminating in multiple invitations for Andersson to substitute in several of the drummer’s projects. The concept of WAW! came to fruition when Andersson and Winther began a separate collaboration, realizing their combined energies could create a phenomenal harmony with ‘Tain’.
Combining joyously hard-hitting swing with a rich European harmonic sensibility, the record’s sound is grounded in the palpable energy of three highly experienced and renowned musicians pushing and coaxing each other to their limits.
Featuring four intricate original compositions by Winther as well as a delicate interpretation of a 1934 ballad “My Old Flame”, the trio weaves between the written and the spontaneous with fluidity, personality and confidence. Rhythmically dense basslines, emotive piano-led songwriting, and staggering drum solosunite each musician’s unmistakable voice in a dedicated and impassioned celebration of two distinct evolutions of jazz.
Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, celebrated as one of the most influential drummers of his generation, flaunts a resumé filled with collaborations with jazz legends such as George Benson, McCoy Tyner, and Harry Connick Jr, as well as three Grammy wins for his work with the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
Carl Winther, reliably esteemed as one of the most talented and innovative jazz pianists of his generation, has earned acclaim for his collaborations with internationally recognized artists like Jerry Bergonzi, Billy Hart, and Adam Nussbaum.
Richard Andersson, termed “one of the most interesting characters of the Danish jazz scene” by Gaffa Magazine, has released several albums as a bandleader with Danish and international musicians such as Oskar Gudjonsson (IS), Rudi Mahall (DE), Kasper Tranberg (DK), Ra-Kalam Bob Moses (US), Tony Malaby (US) and Bill McHenry (US).
Line up
Carl Winther | Piano
Richard Andersson | Double Bass
Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts | Drums
Track Listing
Planet P
Manhattan
My Old Flame
Deconstructing Mr. X
Requiem for JW
PR Quotes
Jazz in Europe (UK)
“seamlessly blending the American and Danish modern jazz idioms into a vibrant and captivating sonic tapestry”
Paris Move (FR)
“truly invigorating!”
All That… (DK)
“it is in the interaction that the musicians’ individual and personal qualities really shine through.”
Musik an sich (DE)
“All three musicians seem to explode with joy in playing, and all three show their skills as respective instrumentalists, no one deserves to be singled out, and it is also a joy to listen to this emotional effort”
Dark Blue Notes (TR)
“The dynamic balance between the roles of the instruments, the enthusiastic performance of the musicians, and Winther’s cleverly arranged compositions make this one of the most satisfying piano trio albums of the year.”
Blue in Green (UK)
“providing elegant and spirited backdrops that still generously afford its players the freedom to embrace their improvisational tendencies and leave their own distinguishable contributions”
The Aquarian (US)
“the chemistry of these three comes to the fore as if they instinctively seem to know exactly where each other is going before they actually go – and they do that on all five jams“
Jazz Mania (BE)
“A skillfully balanced, pleasantly swinging album that should please those who are not indifferent to McCoy Tyner”
The Times (UK)
“best jazz albums of 2024”
Jazz, ese ruido (ES)
“A recommended album for its sound that combines American tradition and European modernism”
Jazz in Family (IT)
“The debut album of this trio of virtuosos and veteran musicians of the modern jazz scene offers five performances worthy of being called Jazz”
Esensja (PL)
“they have created an album that will delight every fan of improvised jazz and post-bop.
Jazz Views (UK)
“I don’t care what country you’re looking at, you’re not going to find more passionate players than Winther, Watts, and Andersson.”
La Habitacion Del Jazz (ES)
“The voice of each member of the trio shines independently and together, forming a strongly cohesive group, versatile and with great fluidity. A great album”
Jazz.sk (SK)
“the joy of high-quality, time-tested and timeless music-making”
OffTopic (IT)
“The basic chemistry between the American drummer and the two Danish musicians seems to work throughout the album, both in the moments when the tones become more caressing and when it seems even hard to catch your breath for a single moment”
Jazz in Japan (JP)
“the flow of variable beat drum changing from the middle of the piano solo to the hard swing is thriling”
Cuttings
