Nikolaj Hess - Space Lab & Strings

The piano trio is one of the most flexible and dynamic vehicles for musical expression within the genre of jazz. The same can be said of the string quartet in the classical sphere. The intimate confines of both ensembles lead to a fantastic blend of group interplay and individuality expressed by the performers. Boundless possibilities of musical pathways within these combinations have made these the de facto ensembles for composers and performers within these genres.

Pianist/composer Nikolaj Hess has found much to say utilizing the piano trio and the string quartet over his career. Recently, it was his idea to interweave a string quartet together with a piano trio to create a septet, thus multiplying the colors and dynamism of sound that can be produced. Hess's gorgeous new recording, Spacelab & Strings, brings two ensembles from two musical fields together to amplify his artistic vision in a unique, sweeping way.

Hess grew up in the musically rich environment of the Jutland peninsula of Denmark. The area is well known for it's rich musical legacy and was also a regular destination for touring jazz musicians visiting Denmark. Hess's study of piano and violin gave him a wide exposure to classical and jazz music. Hess eventually settled on piano as his main expressive voice but continued to love the sound of the violin, even going as far as trying to emulate the violin's sound on the piano.

While growing up, Hess developed long standing musical relationships with bassist Anders Christensen and drummer Mikkel Hess (who is also Hess's brother). The regular partnership led to a trio that switched leadership depending on projects but has ultimately come to be known as Spacelab. The ensemble's time-honed rapport makes it an ideal amplifier of Hess's folk-inspired, Scandinavian-tempered music. Butch Lacy and Horace Parlan were among Hess's teachers at the Copenhagen Conservatory and the first to introduce Hess to arranging and transcribing his musical thoughts from the piano to strings (and thinking in orchestral sonorities on the piano. Hess continued to study the art of string writing, studying the works of greats like Beethoven and Ravel. Opportunities to write for strings sprang up in commissions and films over the years, which include Lars Von Trier's Melancholia

Over the years, Hess collaborated regularly with violinist Cæcilie Balling, the leader of Strings, the quartet featured on this recording, and co-producer of this recording. The other members of the quartet, violinist Christian Ellegård, violist Jakup Lützen, and cellist Josefine Opsahl, are engaged in a wide variety of musical endeavors, from classical fare to improvised music, making the flexible quartet a perfect partner with Spacelab. Nikolaj Hess has found a way to capture a very particular Scandinavian identity on his compositions that walk the line between classical and jazz repertory. The cinematic breadth of his musical talents can be heard on Spacelab + Strings, a wonderful meeting between musical entities of tremendous expressive capabilities.