Sørensen establishes himself as a true innovator, merging intricate counterpoint, elastic improvisation, and complex rhythmic cycles and layered polytonal harmonies.
April Records
Rasmus Sørensen – Piano, Composition; Jon Henriksson – Double Bass; Francesco Cinigllio – Drums
Rasmus Sørensen’s AT THE RIGHT TIME released on April Records, is his third piano trio album in just two years. Following his debut TRAITS in 2022 and BALANCING ACT in 2023, Sørensen has quickly built a reputation for thoughtful, expressive work—and this latest release looks to continue that momentum.
Bassist Jon Henriksson brings a strong sense of the Scandinavian jazz tradition to his playing; introspective, quietly conversational with the musicians around him. Working extensively with pianist Joel Lyssarides, Henriksson anchors the trio with a refined, supportive bass tone that enhances without ever overpowering.
Italian drummer Francesco Ciniglio has a beautifully versatile touch, moving effortlessly from delicate, near-whispered phrases to powerful rhythmic bursts, never losing the flow. He’s shared the stage with Wynton Marsalis, Seamus Blake, Aaron Parks, Sheila Jordan, Donny McCaslin, and many others. When Ciniglio plays, you can hear his attention to dynamics and phrasing; he doesn’t just keep time, he brings a melodic voice to the kit.
‘Sun’ opens the album with a classy elegance. There aren’t any flashy solos; It feels like the trio is completing each other’s musical sentences as they weave in and out of each others’ phrases. Sørensen’s thoughtful single-note lines pull back on the beat, weaving in chords, as he plays with tempo and dynamics.
‘Perennial Youth’ reflects the album as a whole, moving confidently through a variety of styles. It opens with a Spanish cha-cha before shifting into a straight-eighth jazz groove, where the notes are played evenly, without that “swing.” The drums then lock into a beautiful shuffle, while the bass lays down a steady, insistent pulse. They all build in intensity until the music fades at the end.
In ‘Stilts’ Sørensen plays the theme solo, but it sounds like it was recorded in another room. It feels like you’re eavesdropping. Then, it’s like the door swings open, and every note is crisp and clear. With Ciniglio and Henriksson joining in, the music feels complete, filling the space with warmth and depth.
At times, the spotlight falls on a single player; like Sørensen’s beautiful solo piano on ‘Earthlings’ or Henriksson’s lyrical lines on ‘Ocean Waves,’ backed by Ciniglio’s soft brushwork. And when the drummer takes center stage on ’49,’ it’s a standout moment.
With AT THE RIGHT TIME, Sørensen establishes himself as a true innovator, merging intricate counterpoint, elastic improvisation, and complex rhythmic cycles and layered polytonal harmonies. Through 12 original pieces, this trio highlights a unified sound that’s both rich and instinctively cohesive.
