With his trio with double bassist David Helm and drummer Dominik Mahnig, pianist Philip Zoubek has once again inscribed unexpected facets and forms into what is perhaps the most classical jazz format - with remarkably conclusive results.
Seamless transitions between composition and improvisation characterize the albums released so far, "Outside" (2016), "Nonplaces" (2020) and "Labyrinthus" (2022). Between contemplative calm, repetitive patterns and high energy improvisations, the musicians also create atmospheres beyond the usual by incorporating electronics, preparations of the grand piano and extended techniques.
For their new album "Mirage", the trio has grown: expanded to a sextet, it presents its most radical work to date. With the addition of cello, woodwinds and percussion, the sextet creates luminous and at times orchestrally charged character pieces between jazz, new music, electronic and ambient. Kaleidoscope-like, this music shimmers in many colors that emerge from and merge into each other. In tonal fine work a pointed ensemble music is created, a group sound that is originally unspent - full of tension and elasticity.