Waive is the third album of the Amsterdam-based trio OMAWI – short for Dutch drummer Onno Govaert, Polish-born pianist Marta Warelis with and prolific, fellow Dutch double bass player Wilbert De Joode, recorded live at Zaal100 in Amsterdam in October 2021, in the trio’s first performance in a period between the Covid-19 lockdowns.

It is clear from the first notes of this live performance that OMAWI was determined to seize the rare moment, surrender and give it all to the art of the moment and wipe out the «dark little narratives» (as one of the pieces is titled) of the pandemic. The five pieces offer energetic and intense, bold and restless kind of free improvisation that attempts to redefine the classic jazz piano trio format, with complete democratic dynamics, free of conventions, stretching the sonic palettes of the piano, double bass and drums with inventive, extended techniques, and employing improvisation to sketch compositional forms. The extensive experience of Warelis, Govaeret and de Joode makes this trio a powerful unit that acts like one sonic entity. Furthermore, it charges these improvisations with tension, unpredictable and captivating ideas and touches of lyricism, playfulness and wild imagination.

The title of the album relates to the stressful times of the pandemic when we all had to slow down, abandon, sign out, solo, let go and waive. The suggestive cover artwork is by The Ex’s guitarist Andy Moor.

Eyal Hareuveni

Marta Warelis (piano), Onno Govaert (drums), Wilbert de Joode (double bass)