With ON A HUMAN LEVEL, the Red Gazelle Trio demonstrate how good they are at pushing the boundaries of Nordic jazz.
Zack’s Music
Kristoffer Vejslev – Guitar; Peter Price – Double Bass; Simon Forchhammer – Drums; Ned Ferm – Saxophone; Jakob Sørensen – Trumpet
The Red Gazelle Trio, the celebrated jazz ensemble led by guitarist Kristoffer Vejslev, bassist Peter Price, and drummer Simon Forchhammer, returns with their third studio album, ON A HUMAN LEVEL. The Trio formed when its three members first began exploring jazz together, developing an almost telepathic musical connection along the way.
For this release, they’ve expanded into a quintet, welcoming two luminaries of the Danish jazz scene: Copenhagen-based American saxophonist Ned Ferm and trumpeter Jakob Sørensen.
Ned Ferm, an internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and composer, was the first American admitted to Copenhagen’s Rhythmic Music Conservatory. He has collaborated with icons like Yusef Lateef, Billy Taylor, Harold Mabern, Roswell Rudd, Airto Moreira, and many others.
Jakob Sørensen studied at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus before joining the Jazz Institute Berlin. He has performed with the DR Big Band, Etta Cameron, Gerard Presencer, Andrew D’Angelo, and the Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, among others.
ON A HUMAN LEVEL explores the full spectrum of our existence, from life and death to love and sorrow. “I wrote these pieces over four years, starting during COVID-19 with contemplative tracks like ‘Murky Waters,'” says Kristoffer Vejslev. “By the end, I was writing with my upcoming fatherhood in mind. ‘Punktum,’ Danish for ‘period,’ was named for my unborn son’s tiny size, and captures that sense of joy and wonder.”
The trio weaves atmospheric Nordic jazz around strong melodic foundations. “Every piece begins with a melodic idea that we build on together,” explains Vejslev. “This collaborative approach ensures our group’s distinctive character shines through each composition, no matter who provides the initial spark.”
The guitar strums, scattered drum beats, and Sørensen’s trumpet, with its clean expansive tone, fill ‘Murky Waters.’ It’s haunting and melancholy, but I love how Vejslev’s guitar repeats a melodic phrase that keeps it from slipping into gloom.
‘Unfiltered Serenity’ opens with a booming bass and louder drums, maybe mallets on the toms? It has almost a military rhythm with the guitar strumming right along with it. Sørensen and Ferm trade solid solos, and Vejslev picks some really cool, jagged single-note runs on his guitar as the music swirls almost unchecked until it all slows and fades into peace.
Unison playing from bass, drums, sax, and guitar kicks off ‘Punktum’ until Ferm’s sax solo takes flight. There’s some really great guitar work on ON A HUMAN LEVEL, and on this track, Vejslev’s guitar has a twangy, rockabilly-like resonance. The bass and drums are tight throughout, and the sax returns to close the piece.
‘Could Have Been ’is a beautiful piece. The guitar strums gently, with light snare and cymbals, while Sørensen’s trumpet plays softly, and the bass lays down a steady, evolving shuffle. Peter Price is the perfect bassist for this band, he knows exactly what to play and when. The band gives space for the trumpet to shine, and Sørensen’s bold, open tone is striking.
With ON A HUMAN LEVEL, the Red Gazelle Trio demonstrate how good they are at pushing the boundaries of Nordic jazz. They have given us a compelling listening experience that resonates long after the final note.
ON A HUMAN LEVEL even has a beautiful album cover, designed by Ursula Blix.
