Jazzenzo

The Ghost’s new album, The King and I with Scott Hamilton and Strings once again shows why this trio has occupied its own place in the Dutch Jazz landscape since its founding in 2008. Pianist Rob van Bavel, double bassist Frans van Geest and guitarist Vincent Koning together form a group with a distinct aesthetic, rooted in the classical jazz tradition.

The collaboration with the American Tenor Saxophonist Scott Hamilton, no stranger to the Netherlands since the 1970s, makes it clear how smoothly Hamilton’s warm, lyrical tone blends with the transparent group sound of this trio.

Rob van Bavel has maintained a strong bond with South Korea for many years, where he regularly plays, teaches and collaborates with local musicians. That connection eventually led to the collaboration with the South Korean string trio, Salon de Musique, which is an essential part of the timbre on this album.

From the first seconds, that trust is fully justified. The trio, Hamilton and the string trio interlock in a self-evident way. It’s a synthesis that you expect to work and in that respect the album offers no surprises, but that’s exactly the power.

Everything slides in warm and glowing, with a clarity and tranquility that is only possible when all the musicians involved know each other’s breath and intention. The album is not an experiment in pushing boundaries but a celebration of refinement, balance and expressive simplicity.

The entire album is a beautiful example of craftsmanship, unparalleled live recorded in Studio 1 of the Broadcasting Music Center, entirely in one take. You can hear that choice in the natural flow, the concentration and the vibrancy of the performance. This is music that breathes, music that lives in the moment and music that is played by musicians who know exactly what they want to say and do so with warmth, clarity and elegance.

Stephane Kerecki - Source