Danish bassist Peter Friis-Nielsen (b.1948) and drummer Claus Bøje (b.1941) have been key figures and defining creative forces on the Danish scene for improvised music since the end of the 60s, often working together, and throughout their rich career played with such great improvisers like Peter Brötzmann, Evan Parker, Ikue Mori, Fred Frith, John Tchicai and Lotte Anker. Recently they formed a trio with generation younger, innovative pianist  Christian Rønn (b.1969). This trio’s language is rooted in the legacy of free jazz but also finds inspiration in contemporary music and minimalism.

Orandi is the debut album of this cross-generation trio and it was recorded live at the Villingerød Church north of Copenhagen during Spir Festival in the summer of 2023. This performance was documented with a relatively primitive recording setup. It was meant simply as a documentation of the trio/ But when the trio listened to it months later it thought it should be shared with a larger audience.

Bøje, Friis-Nielsen and Rønn were right. Orandi faithfully reflects the trio’s art of the moment. The titles of the four pieces capture The trio’s dynamics and logic – «Go Out», «Be There», «Stay» and «Conclude». This is a democratic trio that relies on deep listening and allows the music to breathe and develop organically on its own accord but also highlights the distinct gifts of each musician. Bøje is a sonic painter who colors the music with a delicate, free pulse, Friis-Nielsen anchors the commotion with his electric bass that injects precise, percussive touches and Rønn ties all with clever, incisive gestures, and all make this trio bigger than its parts.

Eyal Hareuveni

Claus Bøje (drums), Peter Friis-Nielsen (bass), Christian Rønn (piano)