Description
2024 release from guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel-led trio
Wolfgang Muthspiel and his trio with Scott Colley on bass and Brian Blade on drums reaches a new creative peak on Dance of the Elders — the group's follow-up up to the much lauded Angular Blues, which The Times called a "quietly impressive album." Here Wolfgang's successful stride continues, with his unique compositional signature on the one hand and the particularly vibrant interchanges with his trio colleagues on the other.
The guitarist's writing and approach to jazz is heavily folk-induced but equally inspired by classical music — both aspects are presented clearly throughout the album. Brian's floating percussive injections and Scott's nimble counterpoint on bass complement Wolfgang's acoustic and electric playing in fluid interplay over intricate polyrhythms and adventurous harmonic landscapes.
"Whatever the technique or the instrument, Muthspiel's deep love for and expert command of jazz shines through on both the originals and standards (…), as does his chemistry with Blade and Colley," Jazztimes wrote in 2021, to which Wolfgang Muthspiel answered: "We have developed an enormous trust in each other." His musical familiarity with partners Colley and Blade has only increased since — Dance of the Elders was recorded after extensive touring throughout Europe, the US and Japan, in February 2022.
And the guitarist's opinion in regard to his bandmates hasn't changed: "I'm constantly learning from Brian and Scott. It's always exciting to bring new music to them and see how they approach it, because it's never what I'd expect. The remembrance of their sound while I compose is an inspiration for the music I end up coming up with."
