When we think of European jazz we often think of German, British and especially Scandinavian music. After all, this more hypothermic style with, in addition to jazz, influences from European composed music and folk music, was also made great by the German label ECM. Bassist and composer Petros Klampanis comes from far-away European Greece, with a style that can perhaps best be described as warm-blooded
… European jazz. Klampanis studied and lives in New York where he founded a fantastic quartet including the French pianist Jean-Michel Pilc and the Israeli guitarist Gilad Honderdelenman. They give shape to the rich, Southern European-influenced melodies that Klampanis writes. Supported by tastefully arranged strings, it sounds spacious, tender and melancholic without getting soggy. Closing track Thalassaki is the adaptation of a Greek folk song that seems to be made to be dealt with by this inspired playing quartet. (MR)more
