Near the Pond - Wild Geese

In 2021, when this band released their first album, they hadn't yet decided on a name. But that's changed - now we can call them Near The Pond! As the name indicates, they function as a collective, a band of equals, celebrating their unique sounds individually while exploring what they can create together.

The first release was created at a cultural crossroads by vocalist Josefine Cronholm, bassist Thommy Andersson, and cornetist Kirk Knuffke, who were inspired by their warm transatlantic friendship and driven by the desire to collaborate. For the first release, they were joined by American drummer Kenny Wollesen. Since then, Danish musician Bent Clausen has become a permanent part of the group, contributing on drums and vibraphone.

Whereas the debut Near The Pond (2021) featured music inspired by the Swedish-American poet and author Carl Sandburg, who died in 1967, the group has taken a significant artistic turn, this time finding inspiration in the Japanese poet Saigyo, who lived from 1118 to 1190. This collective has found an ear-opening path and process of working with texts from the 20th and 12th centuries, united in a sensitive and heartfelt musical presentation.

The group members have foundations and backgrounds in jazz, folk, and improvisational music, each bringing their voices to the collective sound. They combine minimalism, complex rhythms, and improvisation, resulting in a dynamic whole. Although improvisation plays an important role, it doesn't necessarily lock the music into only the jazz genre. The band’s sound has a Nordic presence with a dash of American folklore.

Once again, inspired by poetic language and their real-life friendships, the band has created original and moving music for the world to enjoy.