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Morten Schantz
The new release of Danish pianist and composer, Morten Schantz (b. 1980), is an exploratory voyage of striking beauty and powerful dramaturgi provided by an inspired leader and a trio at its playing peak. This third album the Schantz trio, continues in the vein of the adventurous and critically acclaimed 2014 release, “Unicorn”, again augmenting the trio format with percussion throughout most of the tracks as well as adding horns and the Ondes Martenot on a few selections. Songs like “Pokhara”, “Apia”, “Hidden Island”, and the opener “Mountaineer” are all great examples of Schantz’ ability to compose mini suites in a highly personal way where the music floats like a river through grandiose landscapes. The title track “Passenger” is perhaps the greatest example of the uniqueness of Schantz’ writing with his trademark use of simplistic pop elements integrated with intricate polyrhythmic passages and rising crescendos contrasting with a very minimalistic outro reminiscing of something very suitable for a movie ending. With this exciting new release the trio offers up a free passenger seat where the listener can embark on a 45-minute inner adventure.
The trio has been touring on and off together internationally for more than 15 years now and created their very own niche within the highly dense field of piano trios.
Morten Schantz is well-known for his power quintet “JazzKamikaze”, a Scandinavian superband alongside e.g. Norwegian sax star, Marius Neset as well as leading groups like the jazz fusion trio, “Morten Schantz Godspeed” and recently the electronica power-house duo, “RKDIA”, with Swedish drummer Anton Eger. Schantz has won the prestigious “Young Nordic Jazz Comets” as well as being awarded numerous compositional grants from the Danish Arts Council and two Danish Music Award nominations.
Awards
Winner of “Ung Jazz” w. JazzKamikaze 2005 Winner of “Young Nordic Jazz Comets” w. JazzKamikaze 2005 Winner of Getxo Festival: Audience Choice w. JazzKamikaze 2006 Selected as spearheads in the International Launch of Danish Jazz between 2007-2009 Danish Grammy nomination 2014 as "Best Jazz Composer" Danish Grammy nomination 2007 as "Best New Name of Jazz"
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Morten Schantz Trio: Passenger
by Ian Patterson
It might be tempting to view Morten Schantz's Passenger as a lockdown album, recorded as it was during those strange times of isolation, but the music can perhaps better be understood as the culmination of personal and musical growth stretching back over more than two decades. Schantz first led a piano trio whilst still a teenager, in the late '90s. Baby steps, for sure, he admits. 'I was so young... It was more about learning the language of ...
read moreMorten Schantz: Godspeed
by Roger Farbey
The three Scandinavian musicians featured on Godspeed are also members of the eclectic JazzKamikaze quintet. By 2014, Morten Schantz had released eight albums, four as a soloist and four with JazzKamikaze. Saxophonist Marius Neset has played alongside Django Bates and Anton Eger is also drummer with Phronesis. JazzKamikaze produces a fairly frenetic sound whereas Godspeed is relatively more sophisticated, but no less dynamic. This is Schantz's follow-up to his 2014 recording Unicorn which was predominantly acoustic, whereas Godspeed bears some ...
read moreMorten Schantz: Godspeed
by Jakob Baekgaard
Old friendships are never forgotten, and sometimes they grow stronger as time goes by. This is also the case with musical friendships. Back in the days, in 2005 exactly, pianist and composer Morten Schantz played with saxophonist Marius Neset and drummer Anton Eger in the acclaimed group JazzKamikaze. They were full of youthful energy and to this day, the group has not officially disbanded. The members have also moved on to other projects. Both Neset and Eger ...
read moreMorten Schantz: Unicorn
by Ian Patterson
Danish pianist/composer Morten Schantz is probably best known as one fifth of JazzKamikaze, the globe-trotting band he formed in 2005 with Marius Neset, Kristor Brødsgaard, Daniel Heløy Davidsen and Anton Eger. That may be about to change, as the solo album Unicorn marks a significant wind change in Schantz's trajectory. Inspired writing and scintillating collective playing are the cornerstones, with Schantz' quartet augmented by Morroccon traditional musicians and choir. It's an intoxicating concoction that marks a high point in the ...
read more… It’s an intoxicating concoction that marks a high point in the pianist’s career to date. His pronounced two-handed technique on flowing solos embraces both classical and jazz vocabulary and is evocative of Brad Mehldau at his mercurial best… Ian Patterson, "All About Jazz" on “Morten Schantz Unicorn”… …A masterpiece of an instrumental jazz album with the sound of Morocco as a backdrop… The music on “Unicorn” has the same in- your-face, progressive, repetitive character as on the albums of E.S.T. The album is a formidable, complete, and compelling effort… Ivan Rod (Gaffa) on “Morten Schantz Unicorn”… …Unicorn marks an immediate highlight of Schantz’ career