Balancing Act Rasmus Sørensen

• 1 Is That So 08:18
• 2 Steps Ahead 06:47
• 3 Blissful Ignorance 01:48
• 4 Mr. Day 07:52
• 5 Courage 05:32
• 6 Everything I Love 05:39
• Total Runtime 35:56

Info for Balancing Act

Drummer Kendrick Scott and bassist Alexander Claffy join rising-star Danish pianist Rasmus Sørensen for the release of a special trio project - Balancing Act - recorded in true jazz spirit in the heart of New York City.

Timeless repertoire and intricate originals combine in a piano trio session which captures the tradition of years gone by: three players meeting in a studio to produce music which somehow sounds as if they spent a lifetime together.

Sørensen relocated to New York City in 2018 to pursue his studies at the Manhattan School of Music on a full-tuition scholarship and within five years had proved himself as a compelling creative force, playing alongside some of the scene’s most reputable musicians and performing his original compositions in some of the world’s most revered jazz clubs.

In line with New York’s fast paced spirit, the session with Claffy and Scott was set up, planned and recorded within a matter of days, with the musicians meeting on the day and spending just three hours together in the studio.

It’s something of a rite of passage for pianists to showcase their treatment of classic jazz repertoire; Sørensen choses a selection of Great American Songbook classics and a lesser-known Coltrane number for this, his sophomore album. Alongside a handful of originals, the recording with two veterans of New York’s prestigious scene is a masterclass in energetic, spontaneous, playful and exciting piano trio playing.

Effortless groove, rich contemporary harmony, virtuosic improvisations, dextrous rhythmic complexity and intricate arrangements make for an adventurous and thrilling listen; the first meeting of three fearless and experienced masters of their craft.

Jazz is no stranger to the concept of passing the baton from one generation to the next, not through loud exclamations and accolades, but by who the greats choose to work with. With Balancing Act, Sørensen has not only produced a beautiful trio album, but staked his claim - with the help of Scott and Claffy - as one of the ones-to-watch from the new generation of pianists.

Rasmus Sørensen, piano
Alexander Claffy, double bass
Kendrick Scott, drums

Rasmus Sørensen
Danish pianist, composer and improviser Rasmus Sørensen moved to New York City in 2018 and has since gained wide recognition for his accessible yet forward-looking sound both as a musician and composer. Having collaborated with a vast array of artists across genres over the years as well as having toured extensively, his debut trio album Traits was released on june 17th 2022 and exhibits Rasmus' perception of the world around us through his musical scope. ​

Born and raised in a musically active family in northern Denmark, Rasmus quickly picked up a passion for music and became a sought after pianist at an early age. He then decided to attend the jazz program at Skurups Folkhögskola in Sweden after turning 19 and moved to Copenhagen the year after, trialing life as a professional musician. Finally, he decided to move across the pond a year later to attend the Manhattan School of Music, where he was offered a full-tuition scholarship based on his audition. Since then, he's been mentored by some of the greatest living musicians and educators of the art form including Buster Williams, Phil Markowitz, Stefon Harris, Dayna Stephens, John Riley, Lenny White and Rogerio Boccato and has gotten to perform alongside many of the most accomplished musicians on the New York jazz scene as well as having performed his original music at prestigious venues such as The Jazz Gallery, Smalls Jazz Club, Mezzrow, Cafe Bohemia, 55 Bar and Ornithology Jazz Club. ​

Rasmus also frequents other countries as a result of his musical endeavors and has toured with various groups in Canada, Russia, France, The Netherlands, Italy, England, Finland, Lithuania and Switzerland to name a few.

This album contains no booklet.