German, Helsinki-based keyboards player Sid Hille met Viennese reeds player-multi-instrumentalist Herbert Könighofer met for the first time at the Salzburg train station on September 2016, three hours before they were about to play their first ever concert. Naturally, there was no time for a rehearsal, no repertoire, and no strategy, just two curious and fearless musicians, trusting their instincts and embracing the coming risks and the playful surprises.

Hille and Könighofer continued their musical journey, touching on anything and everything, in their very own unrepeatable manners, in concerts in Finland and Austria in the following years. «All & Everything» was recorded in November 2018 when the duo performed at Helsinki’s famous Temppeliaukio Church and is released on Hille’s SatnaMusic label.

The first four pieces are part of the «Paradigma» suite. Hille and Könighofer sketch a mysterious but highly harmonious and soulful story. This improvised on the spot story – actually, not binding itself to any paradigm, convention or style – is full of suggestive colors and shades, sudden surprises and playful games, with great focus on detail and patience while both carefully build the tension. Hille and Könighofer sound as navigating in familiar but barely recognizable chamber-world-jazz territories with subtle usage of samples and electronics, creating their very own musical universe. The last and short «Lumen» is a beautiful, lyrical ballad that owes much to the Nordic school of ECM, where Könighofer refers openly to Jan Garbarek sound. A fitting conclusion to this captivating musical journey.

Eyal Hareuveni

Herbert Könighofer (s, bfl, contrabass cl, v, g, perc, loops), Sid Hille (p, Fender Rhodes, analogue synth, loops, effect pedals, theremin, perc)

A night in Vienna with Herbert Könighofer and Sid Hille from Sid Hille on Vimeo.