KammerJazz
On his new album Living Organs, the saxophonist/composer Shauli Einav presents his new quartet, which unfolds according to a synergetic principle. "Every organ in the human body fulfills its own vital role and is indispensable for the functioning of the whole. But life only truly becomes a wonder when all these components work together."
The album, which will be released on November 17, 2023, under the label Outside In Music, conjures a dazzling, original sound from the chemistry of four distinct individuals (guitarist Eran Har Even, organist Laurent Coulondre, drummer Paul Wiltgen, and Shauli Einav). "In this band, every part is important and has its own unique role," says Einav. "I feel that when the four of us play together, I develop more ideas than ever before."
Like Shauli Einav, whose journey took him from his home in Israel to New York and Paris before settling in Luxembourg, the new quartet also consists of a global and nomadic lineup. Guitarist and bassist Eran Har Even moved from Israel to Amsterdam, where he is now an active member of the Dutch jazz scene and teaches at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Organist/keyboardist Laurent Coulondre hails from Nimes, France, and now lives in Paris, although he discovered his passion for the organ while studying in Catalonia. Drummer Paul Wiltgen is from Luxembourg but studied at the Manhattan School of Music and collaborated with musicians like David Binney, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Kurt Rosenwinkel during his years in New York City.
Beyond its rather metaphorical significance, "Living Organs" is a play on the concept of the jazz organ group and suggests that it is a more modern, evolving interpretation of the form. The album marks a shift for Shauli Einav towards a more electric, groove-based approach, whereas his earlier releases were characterized by a more acoustic, swing-oriented vein. The versatile and driving sound is proof that his love for jazz did not grow in a vacuum but amidst a similarly great enthusiasm for contemporary rock and pop music.