Jasper Somsen

Jasper Somsen, a talented jazz bassist and composer from the Netherlands, has worked with Enrico Pieranunzi, Ferdinand Povel, Rita Reys and Nancy Marano among others, performing regularly throughout Europe. He put together his current quintet in 2009. The Jasper Somsen Group consists of Bert Lochs on trumpet and flugelhorn, guitarist Florian Zenker, pianist Tilmar Junius, and drummer Pieter Bast plus the leader. They recorded their debut Dreams, Thoughts and Poetry a few years ago for the Challenge label.
 
The quintet’s second CD, Sardegna, is dedicated to the island of Sardinia. The 11 selections, nine by Somsen, one from Lochs, and a group improvisation (“Cala Luna”), cover a wide range of musical ground. The first two numbers, “Mia Nefertiti” (which is in 5/4 time) and “Sardegna,” are rhythmically tricky although the musicians sound effortless during the ensembles and the solos. Other selections include haunting ballads that are quietly emotional and a bit reminiscent of an ECM recording (the touching “The Loss Of Innocence,” and “Lost And Found”), a couple of brief bass solos that act as transitions between pieces, the atmospheric “Cala Luna,” and a trio of hotter upbeat pieces (“Lotus,” “One For Paolo” and “And They All Disappeared”) that bring out the best in the soloists. Lochs (who occasionally recalls Kenny Wheeler), Zenker, and Junius all take thoughtful and meaningful solos, drummer Bast displays versatility, and Jasper Somsen makes every note count. Sardegna is a fine sampling of high-quality and inventive modern jazz. - Scott Yanow



PERSONNEL:

BERT LOCHS, trumpet & flugelhorn
FLORIAN ZENKER, guitar
TILMAR JUNIUS, piano
JASPER SOMSEN, bass
PIETER BAST, drums


tracks:
01. Mia Nefertiti
02. Sardegna
03. Black Velvet
04. The Loss of Innocence
05. First Thing (in the Morning)
06. Lotus
07. Lost & Found
08. One for Paolo
09. Ocean of Wisdom
10. Cala Luna