Please can you tell us about your new album and UK album launch?
Thrive has been a long time coming, and it is about introspection, belonging and human connection. The songs have their own little story, be it about alien life (New Ones), mourning the past (Timeline) or trusting a process (My River). What connects the eight songs is my admiration for nature’s wonders.
Working together with the most brilliant musicians Matt Ridley on bass and Jon Scott on drums has been a joy from the start. I was also joined by wonderful guitarists Ant Law and Tom Ollendor for some of the tracks, which added exactly that extra depth I longed for. I love melodies, grooves, and trying to combine these two elements as much as possible, and coproducing with Matt Ridley has been so valuable, fun and interesting. Thrive, as the title track, with words by D.H. Lawrence, is also a bit of an antidote to the speed of daily life, and I think the album as a whole has an uplifting energy to it. I feel like these songs, with various nuances from poetry to folk, have found their shape, and I am excited to share them with the world.
I am thrilled to launch the album at The Vortex Jazz Club in London on 6th February 2025. The Vortex is actually the reason why I moved to London after having heard the great late John Taylor and his band, years ago. I would love you to join us on the 6th February for an evening of lyrical, groovy, and slightly folk-tinged jazz, and you might find out more about that little story, too.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
The quartet is my main area of focus currently, and I have been working in the band of the very gifted singer and composer Neele Peiderer in Germany for some years now. We also sang as soloists together in Jazz Choir Freiburg for two years.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
Fred Hersch’s latest solo album Silent, Listening is on repeat, and so is Brigitte Beraha and Ant Law’s Ensconced. Seems like in the winter months I keep coming back to old favourites such as Brad Mehldau, for example The Art of The Trio No. 1 and 3, Chet Bakers Sings, various recordings of Arvo Pärt, Rachelle Ferrell, Aziza Mustafa Zadeh’s rst two recordings, Efterklang’s Piramida. Also often Wayne Shorter, Becca Stevens, Alan Pasqua, and Cécile McLorin Salvant’s The Window. The last CD I bought was Little Big III by Aaron Parks.
What is your all-time favourite album and why?
For some reason it is Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley. I am just in awe of Nancy Wilson’s voice and phrasing. Maybe it is because this is the first recording of hers I ever came across, but this one always has me singing along loudly.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
The Australian singer Kristin Berardi has recently caught my attention. Her warm, versatile voice moves me. I am also excited for this year’s new release “A Story Left Untold” from the wonderful Georgia Mancio with Alan Broadbent. And there’s a band of young players from Germany and London/New York. Having seen them live recently, Thhe Lukas Derungs Quintet, with Lukas Derungs on piano, Immy Churchill on vocals, Jonas Esser Drums, Jan Dittmann Double Bass and Karim Saber on guitar. A unique beautiful sound and energy from this band.
Thrive is released on Ubuntu Music on 17 January, 2025
Album launch gig at The Vortex Jazz Club in London on 6th February 2025.
For more information visit Fabienne’s website at fabienneambuehl.com
