Johan Budi
The global jazz landscape in early 2025 continues to demonstrate a robust intersection of traditional mastery and avant-garde exploration, as evidenced by three significant new releases from Blue Note Records and April Records. These recordings, featuring American tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, Danish trombonist Lis Wessberg, and the Swedish quintet People In Orbit, represent a diverse spectrum of the genre’s current trajectory. From the rigorous discipline of the "Twio" format to the ethereal "Nordic longing" of the Copenhagen scene and the electro-acoustic experiments of Malmö, these projects highlight the evolving nature of jazz instrumentation and regional stylistic identities.
Walter Smith III and the Evolution of the Twio Concept
Walter Smith III, a prominent figure in modern jazz and a respected educator at the Berklee College of Music, has released Twio Vol. 2 under the Blue Note label. This project serves as a successor to his previous explorations of the trio format, a configuration historically utilized by saxophonists to allow for maximum harmonic freedom and rhythmic interaction. The album is marketed as a "Proudly Presented" effort by the Blue Note Capitol Team, reflecting the label’s ongoing commitment to Smith as a core artist in their contemporary roster.
Production and Personnel Discrepancies
While the musical integrity of the album is high, the release has drawn attention due to inconsistencies in its provided personnel documentation. According to the sleeve notes, bassist Jo Sanders appears on tracks 1-3, 5, and 8. However, the same documentation credits legendary bassist Ron Carter with playing on those identical tracks. Smith’s personal notes further complicate the record, expressing gratitude to Carter for his contributions "throughout the session." Analysis of the audio suggests a singular bass presence rather than doubled contributions, raising questions about the administrative accuracy of the metadata provided by the Blue Note production team. This oversight is notable given the prestige of the label and the historical significance of Ron Carter, whose career spans over six decades and thousands of recordings.
Musical Analysis and Repertoire
Smith’s performance on Twio Vol. 2 is characterized by a rounded, slightly dry tone and a sophisticated command of rhythmic fluidity. His approach remains grounded in the modern-mainstream tradition, yet he avoids the clichés of the genre through thoughtful phrasing. The repertoire is a curated selection of jazz standards and compositions by pivotal figures in the genre’s history:
- Thelonious Monk: Represented by "Light Blue."
- Wayne Shorter: "Fall," a composition famously recorded by the Miles Davis Second Great Quintet.
- Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington: "Isfahan," a movement from The Far East Suite.
- Kenny Dorham: "Escapade."
- Carla Bley: "Lawns."
- Ellis Marsalis: "Swinging At The Haven."
The inclusion of guest saxophonist Branford Marsalis on "Casual – Lee" and "Swinging At The Haven" provides a dynamic contrast to the core trio. Smith’s original composition, "Casual – Lee," is a linear, up-tempo swing piece that facilitates an intense exchange between the two tenor players. While the dialogue is vigorous, critics and historians note that it does not necessarily aim to replicate the high-stakes "tenor battles" of the 1950s, such as the legendary meeting of Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane on Tenor Madness. Instead, it reflects a contemporary camaraderie and mutual respect within the upper echelons of the jazz community.
Lis Wessberg and the Intersection of Lyricism and Modernity
In the European sector, Danish trombonist and composer Lis Wessberg has released In The Wake Of Blue, featuring vocalist Veronika Rud. Released on April Records, the album marks a significant milestone in Wessberg’s career, which has seen her transition from a sought-after ensemble player to a distinctive leader in the Nordic jazz scene. Wessberg, a graduate of Copenhagen’s Rhythmic Music Conservatory and a former member of Marilyn Mazur’s Shamania, has developed a style that eschews traditional effects like the plunger mute in favor of a pure, lyrical delivery.
Stylistic Foundations and Influences
Wessberg’s musical identity is a synthesis of mid-century American hard bop and contemporary European sensibilities. She has cited Curtis Fuller’s work on John Coltrane’s 1957 album Blue Train as a foundational influence. This historical grounding is balanced by an appreciation for the "cool" aesthetics of Lee Konitz and the emotive power of Ben Webster and Johnny Hodges.
Furthermore, Wessberg incorporates elements from the "trip-hop" and alternative rock spheres, citing groups such as Massive Attack, Radiohead, and Portishead. This influence is felt in the atmospheric textures and the "space-conscious" lines of the recording. The album features her regular trio—Steen Rasmussen on piano and keyboards, Lennart Ginman on bass, and Jeppe Gram on drums—complemented by a string quartet on select tracks such as "The Promise" and "The Endless Thread."
The "Nordic Longing" Aesthetic
In The Wake Of Blue is described by industry observers as an embodiment of "Nordic longing," a term often used to describe the melancholic yet hopeful atmosphere prevalent in Scandinavian jazz. The addition of Veronika Rud’s vocals provides an "exquisitely pitched" intimacy to the tracks. The album balances driving rhythmic pieces like "Longing" with deeply reflective, poetic compositions. Trombonist Nils Landgren, a contemporary of Wessberg, noted the "liquid sounds" present throughout the session, reinforcing the album’s reputation as a "healing" musical experience.
People In Orbit: Electro-Acoustic Narratives from Malmö
The Swedish quintet People In Orbit has released their second album, Viewpoint, following their 2023 debut Close/Away. Based in Malmö, a city with a burgeoning experimental music scene, the group represents the younger generation of Swedish jazz musicians who are increasingly integrating electronic effects (EFX) with traditional acoustic instruments.
Compositional Structure and "Cycles"
The album is structured around a series of "Cycles," suggesting a mytho-poetic narrative or a conceptual framework. The tracklist includes titles such as "Cycle 1: Bombastic and Majestic Introduction," "Cycle 2: The Clueless Marchers," and "Cycle 4: Landing." This structural choice indicates an ambition toward long-form storytelling within the jazz medium, moving away from the standard "head-solo-head" format.
The personnel includes:
- Adam Sass: Trumpet
- Edvin Ekman: Tenor saxophone and EFX
- Niklas Bergstrom: Piano, Mini-Moog, and EFX
- Edwin Elmersson: Bass
- Frank William Reis: Drums
Fusion of Free Jazz and Jazz-Rock
Viewpoint is characterized by a blend of 1960s free jazz energy and the structured dynamics of 1970s jazz-rock. However, rather than being a revivalist project, the album maintains a contemporary edge through the fine-tuned interplay of acoustic piano and electronic synthesizers like the Mini-Moog. The music shifts between thick, modal vamps and limpid, lyrical voicings. While some analysts suggest the group could further embrace the "cosmic" qualities associated with Sun Ra’s "Space Is The Place" era, the consensus is that Viewpoint establishes People In Orbit as a potent force in the Nordic electro-acoustic landscape.
Chronology and Recording Context
The recording dates for these projects provide a snapshot of the industry’s recent activity. Walter Smith III’s session took place in New York on January 14-15, 2025. People In Orbit recorded Viewpoint in Malmö shortly thereafter, on May 9-10, 2025. These dates indicate a rapid turnaround from studio to market, facilitated by independent and major-affiliated labels alike.
The upcoming schedule for these artists suggests a strong emphasis on international touring. People In Orbit is slated for a tour of Iceland and the Faroe Islands, regions that are becoming increasingly integrated into the European jazz circuit. Meanwhile, Lis Wessberg continues to perform across the United Kingdom and Europe, including notable appearances at venues like Turner Sims Hall in Southampton.
Broader Implications for the Jazz Market
The simultaneous release of these three albums underscores several trends in the 2025 jazz market:
- Label Identity vs. Metadata Accuracy: The discrepancies in the Blue Note release highlight a growing challenge in the music industry where digital distribution and physical packaging must be meticulously managed to preserve historical accuracy, especially when featuring high-profile sidemen like Ron Carter.
- The Rise of Nordic Jazz: The success of April Records and artists like Lis Wessberg and People In Orbit indicates that the "Nordic Sound" remains a highly marketable and artistically viable alternative to the American mainstream.
- Genre Blending: The integration of strings in Wessberg’s work and electronics in People In Orbit’s quintet demonstrates that the boundaries between jazz, classical, and electronic music continue to blur, appealing to a broader demographic of listeners.
- Reverence for the Past: Despite the forward-looking nature of these recordings, all three projects maintain a deep connection to jazz history, whether through the reinterpretation of standards by Smith or the stylistic homages to Curtis Fuller and Sun Ra by Wessberg and People In Orbit.
In conclusion, the releases of Twio Vol. 2, In The Wake Of Blue, and Viewpoint offer a comprehensive look at the state of jazz in 2025. While they differ in geography and specific sub-genre, they are united by a high standard of musicianship and a shared commitment to expanding the vocabulary of the music while respecting its foundational roots. These recordings provide essential listening for those tracking the evolution of the saxophone trio, the integration of vocals and strings in brass-led ensembles, and the future of electro-acoustic improvisation.
