Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Blaer: Blaer

8

Blaer: Blaer

By

Sign in to view read count
Blaer: Blaer
Led by pianist and composer Maja Nydegger, Blaer is a jazz quintet from Switzerland. This self-titled album is the band's debut release—a collection that establishes the band as an ensemble of real promise, with early signs of a distinctive and individual sound emerging.

Blaer operates on the calmer, more languid end of the jazz spectrum. It's capable of bursts of energy and Nydegger (also a member of Morpheus label-mates AKKU Quintet) isn't shy of composing more aggressive, dramatic, passages—most notably the first section of "Deep Blue" which features drummer Emanuel Künzi venturing into John Bonham territory—but most of the tunes on this debut release would form an ideal accompaniment to quiet moments of reflection.

"Welcome" sets the style—anchored by Nydegger's repeated two-note phrase, it builds slowly as the remaining four musicians become more dominant. The dreamlike "You Told Me" and "Brian" are reminiscent of UK jazzers Polar Bear, albeit without their electronics. "Without" is an impressive demonstration of restrained and controlled performances. Nydegger's opening piano phrases on "Waiting For Snow"—a duet with Nils Fischer's bass clarinet and the gentlest and loveliest of all of these tunes—immediately evoke crisp winter mornings and the eager anticipation of those first scattered flakes.

Blaer was recorded in March 2013, two years before its release. No doubt Blaer has already progressed beyond its first recording sessions—the prospect of further releases from this exciting quintet is a pleasing one.

Track Listing

Welcome; You Told Me; Brian; Waiting For Snow; Without; Deep Blue; Erased.

Personnel

Blaer
band / ensemble / orchestra

Maja Nydegger: piano; Nils Fischer: soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, bass clarinet; Claudio Von Arx: tenor saxophone; Simon Iten: bass; Emanuel Künzi: drums.

Album information

Title: Blaer | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Morpheus Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.