Nearness is the 2004 album recorded by Hayden Chisholm, Matt Penman, and Jochen Rückert for Holzwarth Publications. On it they reinterpret some of the standard jazz repertoire within the framework of the classic saxophone trio. In between their extensive touring with other bands, it took them a good three years to present this programme live. Luckily for us, Plushmusic was there in Cologne to record the concert in April 2008.

There is in jazz a history of standards being used as springboards for improvisation. Players like Lennie Tristano elected to write new themes over existing changes and in a sense this is just what Hayden is attempting here. As the pieces begin, his new melodies immediately set a tone of playfulness, restraint, and extreme virtuosity. Some of the tempos are wickedly fast (check out "May"). At the same time, the group never loses its accuracy, and is equally happy to explore the rubato potential of slower tempos.

Although the trio gives us clear instrumental solos, each soloist leaves space for accompanying voices, creating a complex and slowly unfolding polyphony that generates new melodies over old forms.

These three musicians have known each other for over fifteen years and it really shows on stage. Even though each of them has immersed himself deeply in other styles they seem to revel in the chance to return to their Jazz roots. The level of interplay boarders on telepathy with Jochen often pouncing on Hayden's figures before they are even fully developed.

Hayden's extensive use of microtones is unique; no one in jazz has ever taken the technique to such a level of sophistication. This, combined with his refined tone, is what prompted the German critic Michael Rüssenberg to coin the term "neo-cool" to describe Hayden's playing.

The concert was recorded live at the LOFT in Cologne, which, under the guidance of Hans Martin Mueller (1st Flutist in the WDR Radio Orchestra), has become a major hub for improvised music in Europe. Some of Hayden's first concerts in Cologne were given there and he says he likes to return there because of the intimacy and the local crowd who come to support the concerts.

Wolfgang Stach was the engineer responsible for the exemplary live sound which surpasses many other studio recordings in the genre. We hope you will enjoy this, our first Jazz release on Plushmusic.

Kevin Amos 2008

Hayden Chisholm, Matt Penman and Jochen Rückert perform their 2004 album Nearness live at the Loft, Cologne – a work described by one critic as "the very essence of neo-cool jazz".

9 tracks - 57:59

1. Foolish
2. Nowhere
3. Lover
4. Tout de Moi
5. Introducing the Embassador
6. Remembrance
7. Nearness
8. May
9. No Days

The concert was recorded live at the LOFT in Cologne, which, under the guidance of Hans Martin Mueller (1st Flute in the WDR Radio Orchestra), has become a major hub for improvised music in Europe. Some of Hayden´s first concerts in Cologne were given there and he says he likes to return there because of the intimacy and the local crowd who come to support the concerts.

Wolfgang Stach was the engineer responsible for the exemplary live sound which surpasses many other studio recordings in the genre. We hope you will enjoy this, our first Jazz release on Plushmusic.

Recorded live by Wolfgang Stach at the Loft, Cologne on 19 April 2008
Filmed and edited by Jakob Rühle for Sinafilm GmbH
Additional camerawork by Arne Hemmer
Additional editing by Miguel Ángel Fernández Martínez
Mastered by Reinhard Kobialka at Topaz Studio, Cologne
Produced by Hayden Chisholm

Special thanks to Hans-Martin Müller

New Zealand alto saxophonist Hayden Chisholm played often with a soft, round, glowing tone drawing somewhat from cool West and East Coast jazz sources such as Paul Desmond and Lee Konitz, with amazing fluency and invention, increasing intensity not with volume but with a sudden mounting flurry of asymmetrical notes which unravelled in liquid descending triplets. Late in the set he played harder with perhaps a hint of Anthony Braxton.
John Clare, SIMA magazine

"Chisholm's main instrument is the alto saxophone and his tone seems to comes from the very depths of jazz history - no other [reed player] sounds like this today."
M. Ruessenberg, Frankfurter Allegmeine

"Hayden Chisholm plays alto with a Cool-School lightness... combine this with his uncanny ability to elicit shkuhachi-like tones and you have one of the most offbeat, personal saxophone styles I've heard in a while."
Nate Dorwood, Coda Magazine