Play Ballads

The acclaimed Danish jazz trio GinmanBlachmanDahl, consisting of pianist Carsten Dahl, bassist Lennart Ginman, and drummer Thomas Blachman, return with the album Play Ballads, a collection of 15 jazz standards rendered in their signature, contemplative style on Storyville Records.

The trio’s deep musical rapport is immediately apparent. Each note and silence are measured with care, revealing a rare comfort and understanding cultivated over decades of collaboration. Play Ballads is distinguished by its contemplative approach to well-known standards such as Matt Dennis’ Angel Eyes, Vernon Duke’s Autumn in New York, Billy Strayhorn’s Take the ‘A’ Train, Thelonious Monk’s Blue Monk, and Duke Ellington’s Satin Doll. Each track is performed at deliberately slow tempos, allowing the trio to explore the subtle beauty and emotional depth of each melody. Dahl’s piano often leads with sensitive, improvisational statements, while Ginman’s bass and Blachman’s drums provide understated yet essential commentary.

Highlights include a sparse and intimate Angel Eyes, the reflective melancholy of Gone With the Wind, and a subtle reinterpretation of Ellington’s Things Ain’t What They Used To Be. The album reveals new facets of these standards, balancing tradition with innovation and showcasing the trio’s ability to make each melody their own.

Their shared history stretches back to the late 1980s, encompassing projects with Page One, Thomas Agergaard, Claus Hempler, and numerous individual recordings. Separately, they have worked with American jazz luminaries including Ed Thigpen, Joe Lovano, and Eddie Gomez, and together they have explored standards and original compositions across multiple albums since 2004.

Play Ballads is a testament to the trio’s mastery, musical intuition, and their ability to make every note and every silence count. This album is not only a must-listen for longtime jazz aficionados but also an invitation for new audiences to experience the artistry of three of Denmark’s finest jazz musicians at the height of their powers.