“Once Around The Room (A Tribute to Paul Motian)” is nominated for a Danish Music Award for Jazz Album of the Year!
We are very proud of this album, and it so happens, that our tour starts this week, so we can celebrate together on the road. As many of you know this album was recorded in an unlikely studio session exactly 10 years after the passing of Paul Motian (1931-2011), whom we had all deeply admired, played alongside and considered a mentor.
Given the size of the group and everybody’s busy schedule, what were the odds, finally agreeing of on a date that we could all do and then it happens to be same date as Paul left us. It was miraculous that everyone made it to Copenhagen in the era of Covid – Joe flew in from Paris, Larry from London, Thomas from New York, Jorge from Switzerland and Joey from Berlin, joining me and Anders here. It felt almost surreal when we were all gathered and ready to record – and yet there was such a warm and open atmosphere in the studio. We all had a connection with Paul, and it felt like he was in the room with us somehow.
On behalf of the band, Joe and I want to thank the jury, Manfred and his team at ECM Records and Thomas at The Village for making this dream band happen. We have been lucky to perform this music live a few times at DR Koncerthuset and Village Vanguard, and this week we hit the road again for the full European tour. Thank you!
Jakob Bro · Guitar
Joe Lovano · Tenor Saxophone, Tarogato
Larry Grenadier · Double Bass
Thomas Morgan · Double Bass
Anders Christensen · Bass Guitar
Joey Baron · Drums
Jorge Rossy · Drums
Recorded in November 2021 at The Village, Copenhagen.
Produced by Manfred Eicher. Engineer Thomas Vang.
Once Around The Room is available via ECM Records.
Buy/stream: https://ECM.lnk.to/OnceAroundTheRoom
Vinyl: https://ECM.lnk.to/OnceAroundTheRoom_LPID
★★★★: “The core essence of this heartfelt homage: Lead and follow at the same time, share the space and let the music carry you — a Motian-like mantra if there ever was one.“ – Downbeat (US)
★★★★★: “In dreams – if you dream music rather than pictorial imagery and we often do – the soundtrack which is always an abstraction and mysterious is something ideally like Once Around the Room.” – Marlbank (IR)
★★★★: “Much more than a tribute, Once Around The Room captures Motian’s spirit and walks with it to a performance that has a compelling sense of vibrant celebration as well as solemn recognition of greatness.” – Jazzwise (UK)
“Everything is played with mastery and respect. The repertoire is round and the music brilliant. Also, it contains the best Lovano we’ve heard on a record in recent times, and that’s no small thing.” – El Pais (ES)