To claim that the world has plenty of Jazz piano trios on hand is no exaggeration: in recent years the basic classic combo has been experiencing a resounding revival. Yet a searching look among the trios on tour for the essence of this ‘movement’ – when it all comes down to audience acceptance and an unmistakeable sound all its own – the Tingvall Trio from Hamburg stands out on an international scale. With concerts in more than 30 countries, a full measure of accolades including the ECHO JAZZ as “Ensemble of the Year” and “Live Act of the Year”, Jazz awards in gold for each of the trio’s studio albums, No. 1 on the Jazz charts and even high rankings on the Pop charts, their popularity has attained a level usually marked by current Pop bands. Though occasionally branded in Germany as a stigma by those purportedly ‘in the know’, this kind of success tows a beeline path to the listening public. Only recently Tingvall Trio was accorded the honor to play two trial concerts to test the acoustics at the newly inaugurated Elbphilharmonie concert hall.

Three years after the successful CD Beat, their long-awaited next album, Cirklar was released in 2017. Martin Tingvall, pianist, hymnwriter and the man who gave the band its name, comments on the new compositions: “The songs always kick things off for us. With this album I’ve tried to compose in a way that points out new directions to us. We’re testing new forms of expression, but at the same time we naturally want to be recognized as the Tingvall Trio. This time the music is clearly the boss, not the trio.” However the songs may sound as Martin Tingvall pens them – certainty doesn’t emerge until the end of the day when Omar Rodriguez Calvo (double bass) and Jürgen Spiegel (drums) join him in approaching a new composition. Each piece a struggle, a game, a drama that revolves in circles (“Cirklar”) until it’s ‘done’.

Cirklar might turn out to be their musically most diversified album to date. With its program Tingvall Trio kicked off the longest tour in its history starting last summer, playing first on festivals in Germany, France and Italy, along with more concerts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland and Luxembourg, then continued recently with concerts in Canada, Japan and Australia. Cirklar reached No.1 on German Jazz Charts and No.29 on German Pop Charts.

Just a few from the enthusiastic media quotes: “Playful yet intelligent and full of power behind it.” (Spiegel.de) • “The loveliest symbiosis of tranquil calm and racing speed.” (STERN) • “They are all about expression and emotion – clearly a new force.” (Jazzwise) • “One of Europe’s leading jazz trios … an elementary listening experience.” (Financial Times) • “They are bewitching Europe with their melodies.” (DIE ZEIT) • “Lively” (Guardian)

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