From their first meeting, Sebastian Voltz and Gilles Grethen felt a strong musical attraction. Their approaches to the piano and guitar seemed to complement each other, effortlessly blending their rich timbres. After several encounters on the Saarland jazz scene, the pair decided to act on the kinship they felt in their artistry and founded the Chroma project.

Their eponymous debut ‘Chroma’ is out now and they split the task of picking 10 formative albums for our Musician’s playlist feature below..

Gilles Grethen

1. Kurt Rosenwinkel Standards Trio: Reflections

An album I have probably listened to a thousand times by now. It inspired me in so many stages of my life. They play well known Jazz standards and give them a new spirit. No need to mention the absolute perfection in interplay, leaving space for your fellow musicians and just purely playing the song, honoring it’s beauty in melody and harmony.

2. Wolfgang Muthspiel & Brian Blade: Friendly Travelers

Especially for the Chroma album, Muthspiel and Blade’s duo music was a huge inspiration. The way they interact as a duo and make it sound so rich and full of interesting layers! My good friend and drummer of choice Michel Meis recommended this album to me when we were forming our own guitar/drum duo.

3. Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society: Infernal Machines

Big Band music always has had and always will have a very special place in my heart. It is actually how I came to jazz as a child. Going through my father’s mainly classical music CD collection I found some Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald albums, which I listened to on my own. Later, when I first listened to Darcy’s “Habeas Corpus” and “Transit” on Infernal Machines, a new world opened to me! (Of course at the same time I discovered Maria Schneider’s Evanescence, which had a similar effect on me.)

4. Nate Smith: KINFOLK: Postcards from Everywhere

I discovered this album through the song “Retold”. I found it while at university and studying music can be quite challenging sometimes. I remember that I had a rough day and found this album and listened to it fully a few times and then listened to “Retold” at least 10 times in a row. It helped me find a new drive in that time and go back to my instrument and practice and write new music.

5. Mehldau & Rossy Trio: When I fall in love

Not a lot has to be said about this album. Absolute mastery and pure inspiration every time I listen to it. Brad Mehldau’s Solo over the blazingly fast Anthropology gives so much energy, it’s revitalizing! I just rediscovered this album a little while ago and listen to it again on a weekly basis. Everytime something else catches my attention when listening to it.

Sebastian Voltz

1. Leszek Mozdzer & Lars Danielsson: Pasodoble

This album is very personal and special to me. At a time when I was searching for my own sound in jazz, it showed me a way to blend my classically influenced piano tone with improvisation and jazz. It is a chamber-like collaboration between two fantastic musicians who complement each other incredibly well as a duo.

2. Marcin Wasilewski Trio: Faithful

A wonderful trio that never puts pure virtuosity at the forefront but instead elevates sound to the highest form of art. Airy and open, each musician gives the others plenty of space to unfold. Marcin Wasilewski’s solo playing is incredibly natural and fluid, lyrically expressive, and meticulously balanced in tone. A sensitive and distinguished trio album—truly a masterpiece.

3. Susan Weinert & Martin Weinert: Fjord

For a long time, I struggled to connect with the guitar. Susan Weinert’s music changed that in an instant. After discovering this album, I had the privilege of meeting her, working with her, and being personally inspired by her.

4. Jean Christophe Cholet & Mathieu Michel: Whispers

I discovered this album in 2018 while recording at Studio La Buissonne. From the very first moment, I was captivated—by the musicians’ effortless freedom, the tonal colors (accordion and trumpet together are simply marvelous), and the compositions that opened up a new world for me. Even today, they transport me back to a long-past yet absolutely wonderful time in my life.

5. Thomas Stronen, Ayumi Tanaka & Marthe Lea: Bayou

I love freely improvised music, both in a classical context and in jazz. This trio creates an improvised album that spans a magnificent arc over its entire duration while leaving so much space—something that fascinates me immensely. In the best possible way, it’s an album for unwinding and letting your imagination wander.

Find out more and listen to the music via https://chromaduo.bandcamp.com/album/chroma