Jesse van Ruller was the first European musician to win the prestigious Thelonious Monk Prize in Washington in 1995. The jury, which included Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Jim Hall, Pat Martino and Mark Whitfield, considered that van Ruller was one of was the most promising talent of its time. Since then he has performed with many famous musicians and ensembles including those of Christian McBride,
… Ralph Moore, George Duke, Mike Stern, Kenny Washington, Tom Harrell, Philip Catherine, Toots Thielemans, John Clayton, the Roy Hargrove Quintet and the Metropole Orchestra. In addition, he also leads his own groups and van Ruller plays an important role in the various groups of pianist / composer Michiel Borstlap (also once winner of the Thelonious Monk Prize). It will therefore come as no surprise that the same Michiel Borstlap is co-producer of Jesse van Ruller's new album Trio. The trio is completed by Frans van der Hoeven on bass and Martijn Vink on drums. The CD contains eleven songs, five of which are written by Jesse. The predominantly modest guitar playing of Jesse van Ruller is technically perfect and is strongly reminiscent of that of Pat Metheny and that is a compliment too. (RM)more
