Dominik Schürmann: Forever

Dominik Schürmann is a Swiss double bassist from Basle. At this point in his career, in 2024, he must surely be regarded as one of the best jazz players in Europe, a cautious assessment. On this recording, he is joined by pianist Tilman Günther and drummer Samuel Dühsler and the effect, overall, is a bit magical. Schürmann began life as a pianist, later switching to bass. If a listener thinks there are very strong echoes here of Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro, it would hardly be an error. Schürmann holds them in high esteem. So it is fascinating to hear how what is ostensibly an American art form is assimilated and expressed by musicians whose teachers and models must be closer to the European classical tradition. Whatever the case, this recording once again demonstrates that music—and jazz in particular—knows neither gender nor ethnicity. Indeed, it is probably the case that whatever idiodyncratic elements this trio brings to the music do nothing other than enrich its originality and lush sonorities. Cultural politics make for narrow horizons, even narrower minds, and often, not particularly good music.

Schürmann, with appearances on more than 50 CDs to his credit, has an exceptional touch and excellent intonation, qualities that are sometimes underappreciated in bassists generally, who seem to think that "rough" and "loud" are virtues to be prized. On Forever, the opposite is really the case. From the opening track, "Drifting," to the closing "Offroad," both Schürmann originals, the emphasis is on pretty melodies, rich textures and gentle swinging. "Always and Forever," a Pat Metheny tune, is the titular inspiration for the recording, and one of the few tracks not written by Schürmann himself. This is not a recording about musical athleticism, as Schürmann points out, but that notwithstanding, the players are uniformly strong. Drummer Samuel Dühsler does get some solo exposure, but that is not his function here. "Samuel knows like no other how to listen to his fellow musician and react skillfully and sensitively to their playing," Schürmann says. That is nothing if not an accurate characterization of Dühsler, who brings time and taste to his role.

Schürmann's myriad recordings, crossing a wide variety of genres and idioms, are an indication of the sophistication of the resources upon which he can draw. By the fireside, or by the seaside, a listener can appreciate the music, the surroundings, and drift off into a world far less jarring than the one in which we currently live. This is beautiful music, but in the best sense.