In the Middle of Nothing – to Palle Mikkelborg

Storyville Records is proud to present Danish pianist and composer Carsten Dahl’s new album, In the Middle of Nothing – to Palle Mikkelborg.

In the Middle of Nothing is a deeply personal tribute to one of Scandinavian jazz’s most visionary figures. This recording is both a celebration and a meditation, honoring the legendary Palle Mikkelborg, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and spiritual guide to generations of jazz musicians. The album consists of 7 tracks, all arranged and composed by Carsten Dahl.

Mikkelborg’s influence spans decades, transcending borders and genres. His sound is otherworldly, his approach both intimate and expansive. He has spent a lifetime exploring the space between sound and silence – seeking, as Dahl describes, “the sublime sound of nothing in everything and the sound of everything in nothing.”

With In the Middle of Nothing, Carsten Dahl channels this philosophy into a deeply atmospheric and immersive listening experience. The album carries a special dimension, as Mikkelborg himself participates alongside his wife, the renowned harpist Helen Davies. Together, they join Carsten Dahl Ensemble in a sonic exploration where the boundaries between composition and improvisation dissolve, creating a musical universe that is at once ethereal and profoundly grounded.

The album also features contributions from a slew of prominent names in Scandinavian jazz, including saxophonist Fredrik Lundin, bassist Nils Bo Davidsen, drummer Stefan Pasborg, a string sextet, and BBC Children’s Choir.

Palle Mikkelborg’s trumpet playing is deeply rooted in both jazz tradition and Nordic storytelling, drawing as much from American pioneers like Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong as from the legacy of Carl Nielsen, H.C. Andersen, and Søren Kierkegaard. His music is elusive, poetic, and rich with mystery, never adhering strictly to genre but instead embracing time, space, and silence as integral elements of musical expression.

Carsten Dahl, one of Denmark’s most innovative and adventurous musicians, is known for his boundless imagination and fearless exploration of sound. With an unparalleled sense of improvisation, he bridges the worlds of jazz, classical, and avantgarde, constantly searching for new expressions and emotional depth.

In the Middle of Nothing – to Palle Mikkelborg is a testament to the power of listening, of presence, and of music’s ability to transcend the tangible world. It’s an album for those who seek music that exists beyond boundaries, where jazz meets folklore, and where silence meets sound.