PLAY BALLADS

The acclaimed Danish jazz trio GinmanBlachmanDahl, consisting of pianist Carsten Dahl, bassist Lennart Ginman, and drummer Thomas Blachman, return with the album Play Ballads, a collection of 10 jazz standards rendered in their signature, contemplative style on Storyville Records.The trios deep musical rapport is immediately apparent. Each note and silence are measured with care, revealing a rare comfort and understanding cultivated over decades of collaboration. Play Ballads is distinguished by its contemplative approach to well-known standards such as Vernon Dukes Autumn in New York, Billy Strayhorns Take the A Train, Thelonious Monks Blue Monk, andDuke Ellingtons Satin Doll. Each track is performed at deliberately slow tempos, allowing the trio to explore the subtle beauty and emotional depth of each melody. Dahls piano often leads with sensitive, improvisational statements, while Ginmans bass and Blachmans drums provide understated yet essential commentary.The album reveals new facets of these standards, balancing tradition with innovation and showcasing the trios ability to make each melody their own.Their shared history stretches back to the late 1980s, encompassing projects with Page One, Thomas Agergaard, Claus Hempler, and numerous individual recordings. Separately, they have worked with American jazz luminaries including Ed Thigpen, Joe Lovano, and Eddie Gomez, and together they have explored standards and original compositions across multiple albums since 2004.Play Ballads is a testament to the trios mastery, musical intuition, and their ability to make every note and every silence count. This album is not only a must-listen for longtime jazz aficionados but also an invitation for new audiences to experience the artistry of three of Denmarks finest jazz musicians at the height of their powers.