Returnings

On Returnings the magic is intensified as Bro and musical soul-mate Thomas Morgan reconnect with two living legends of European jazz, trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg and drummer Jon Christensen. It’s a wonderful combination: Bro’s watercolour guitar sounds, Mikkelborg’s soft Milesian flugelhorn, Morgan’s impeccable choice of notes, and Christensen’s free-floating drumming. These components add up to one of the prettiest and subtlest jazz albums of recent times.

Recorded at Rainbow Studio, Oslo, Norway in July 2016.
Engineered by Peer Esben Ursfjord and Jan Erik Kongshaug
Produced by Manfred Eicher.

Press reactions:

❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎ “Guitaristen Jakob Bro finder ekstrem ro i sine enkle melodier og sætter farten helt ned. Hans nye album er magisk” – Politiken

✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ “Nysgerrighed og livsvisdom går op i en højere enhed” – Berlingske Tidende

“On Returnings, Danish guitarist Jakob Bro and his band take their time. Bro’s music is not about flash and bravura; it subtly floats through quiet details, creating sound paintings of depth, warmth and beauty.” – Editors Picks, Downbeat

“If Danish guitarist Jakob Bro needed a good reason to further explore some of the music he’s recorded in recent years while also breaking new ground, he clearly found it here, collaborating with trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg, bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Jon Christensen in an intimate, fluidly interactive session.” – Mike Joyce, Jazz Times

A triumphant return for Jakob Bro and Palle Mikkelborg […]. This may just be an early contender for album of the year and will most certainly feature in the most enjoyable albums of the year. This writer seriously doubts whether a more relaxing recording is currently out there. – Tim Stenhouse, UK Vibe

With mood transcending any language or tempo, ‘Returnings’ draws emotional vulnerabilities from the prevailing, slow-moving instrumental streams. This is a great record to have at hand whenever you need to disconnect from the ‘outside’ world. – Filipe Freitas, Jazz Trail

“Bro is joined on this set by three like-minded admirers of musical soundscapes. Trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg’s impeccable taste and tone are highlighted on tunes like “Oktober,” where he plays warm, muted cornet, and “Youth,” where his trumpet suspends and breathes an aching embrace. Bassist and longtime Bro collaborator Thomas Morgan offers his delicate touch along with drummer Jon Christensen’s raindrops of beauty on tunes like “Strands” and “View.” As a leader, Bro clearly enjoys being part of an ensemble where the music and compositions shine. The interplay between the group on “Lyskaster” is a perfect example. Mikkelborg and Bro lead and follow each other through the melody of this soulful, aching ballad while Morgan and Christensen provide rustling accents behind them.” – Frank Alkyer, Downbeat