Label: Double Moon Records
Format: CD
Barcode: 0608917144826
Catalog number: DMCHR 71448
Releasedate: 20-09-24
Format: CD
Barcode: 0608917144826
Releasedate: 20-09-24
- Inspired trio of a piano individualist
- Intensive communication of an extraordinary piano trio
- Jazz as new folklore? Strong statement of a piano individualist
- Intensive communication of an extraordinary piano trio
- Jazz as new folklore? Strong statement of a piano individualist
Folklore? One of the last things in Stefan Schöler’s mind would be to use the popular melodies of folk music. Or to adhere to folkloric traditions in another way. To avoid misunderstandings about the album title, the pianist and composer provides an explanation in the liner notes. The term, which is often met with skepticism in Germany, contains an idea for him—a vision. Beyond all conventions, clichés, and prejudices, almost any music that brings people from different generations and social backgrounds together could be folklore. Why not this one too?
Stefan Schöler is not a quixotic dreamer. He is stubborn and has musical intuition accompanied by unfettered thinking and spiritually accentuated aspiration. "I am looking for something beautiful in music," he explained without shyness. “It's easy to find.” He does not mean the common understanding of "beauty” by that, but rather special expression and content. And personal fulfillment. "The basic attitude of my music is actually cheerful, optimistic, hopeful, and comforting." The fact that some pieces, some passages, may evoke other associations or trigger other emotions and impressions does not call that into question. His music provides endless possibilities to connect his own feelings with it.
Stefan Schöler lives in Kleve, on the Lower Rhine bordering the Netherlands. He comes from Kreuztal in Siegerland, Westphalia. He has been playing the piano since the age of 7. He studied jazz at Arnhem in the Netherlands, and he expressly thanked the master pianist Rob van den Broek from the Netherlands, who gave him essential elements on his way, especially the courage to experiment improvisationally. Even greats like John Taylor, Carla Bley and Steve Swallow helped him with some tools for individual advancement. After a stay in Sweden, Schöler returned to his native country. He is especially connected to Cologne; the members of his famous trio, bassist Lukas Keller and drummer Simon Bräumer, are part of the jazz scene there.
Unlike so many jazz activists, Schöler has never been particularly busy as a sideman. Although he has all the necessary skills, he does not feel comfortable in such a role. Instead of adapting to the ideas of others, he concentrated on the search for his own, "my jazz, my music". This resulted in him being more or less invisible at times. His first own album, a trio recording, was recorded in 2006 ("Introducing Stefan Schöler"). The response was promising—a perfect start. The second, also in trio line-up, did not follow until 2022 ("Wiedersehen"). What happen?
His (family) life intervened on the one hand, and he dealt with the incessant examination of musical possibilities of expression on the other hand. This often happens away from the stage and the jazz public. "At heart, I am above all a piano player. I practice several hours a day. Sometimes I literally crawl into my room and deal with my inner emotions. There is always a lot to do in caring for them!" In between, I go for walks in the forest. However, Schöler doesn't want to have anything to do with romanticizing nature. This is already demonstrated by the character of "Gelbe Blumen” (trans.: “Yellow Flowers”), the final piece on the album.
Several titles of pieces on the album are enigmatic. "(Sexy)Bikini(Atoll)" refers to the crude link between nuclear testing in the Pacific Bikini Atoll region in the 1950s and the parallel marketing of the two-piece swimsuit. "An einen Schuldigen" (trans.: “To a culprit”) leads into philosophical spheres: debt as a burden, guilt as a gift, guilt as a motive of religious practice. "Psalm A" is another chapter in a series in which Schöler refers to Bible psalms. The difference: in the meantime, he refrains from naming specific passages. He considers it important to give space to his own spiritual background. “Wo weniger Leute leben” (trans.:"Where fewer people live") was inspired by a journey to sparsely populated areas of Sweden, where pretty hamlets seem to merge with the landscape.
The pianist, who has also performed solo and as part of a duo (piano/voice) over the years, has always liked playing standards. "This jazz orthodoxy has a great appeal for me. I'm looking for something free. " He came to "My Foolish Heart" through versions by Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, the latter a central inspiration. "All Of You" was the first standard Schöler got to know.
For the man from Kleve, music is a way to find himself, "to come to peace with himself", characterized by numerous impressions, thoughts and emotions. Compositions are the starting point for collaborative improvisation. "Trio music is like a conversation in a small circle". The extraordinary qualities of the current trio with its highly developed conversation culture are also appreciated by the vibraphonist and old master David Friedman, with whom the group performed some time ago in Tübingen. He contributed tones of highest recognition to the album.
The selection of the album cover is typical Stefan Schöler, just like everything else about this excellent production. The photo by Timo Katz, a visual artist, shows the well-ordered conventionality
of a housing estate. "Typically German," Schöler smiled. There is also something mysterious in the recording for him. High above the roofs: a bird in free flight, undisturbed by what it flies over.
Stefan Schöler is not a quixotic dreamer. He is stubborn and has musical intuition accompanied by unfettered thinking and spiritually accentuated aspiration. "I am looking for something beautiful in music," he explained without shyness. “It's easy to find.” He does not mean the common understanding of "beauty” by that, but rather special expression and content. And personal fulfillment. "The basic attitude of my music is actually cheerful, optimistic, hopeful, and comforting." The fact that some pieces, some passages, may evoke other associations or trigger other emotions and impressions does not call that into question. His music provides endless possibilities to connect his own feelings with it.
Stefan Schöler lives in Kleve, on the Lower Rhine bordering the Netherlands. He comes from Kreuztal in Siegerland, Westphalia. He has been playing the piano since the age of 7. He studied jazz at Arnhem in the Netherlands, and he expressly thanked the master pianist Rob van den Broek from the Netherlands, who gave him essential elements on his way, especially the courage to experiment improvisationally. Even greats like John Taylor, Carla Bley and Steve Swallow helped him with some tools for individual advancement. After a stay in Sweden, Schöler returned to his native country. He is especially connected to Cologne; the members of his famous trio, bassist Lukas Keller and drummer Simon Bräumer, are part of the jazz scene there.
Unlike so many jazz activists, Schöler has never been particularly busy as a sideman. Although he has all the necessary skills, he does not feel comfortable in such a role. Instead of adapting to the ideas of others, he concentrated on the search for his own, "my jazz, my music". This resulted in him being more or less invisible at times. His first own album, a trio recording, was recorded in 2006 ("Introducing Stefan Schöler"). The response was promising—a perfect start. The second, also in trio line-up, did not follow until 2022 ("Wiedersehen"). What happen?
His (family) life intervened on the one hand, and he dealt with the incessant examination of musical possibilities of expression on the other hand. This often happens away from the stage and the jazz public. "At heart, I am above all a piano player. I practice several hours a day. Sometimes I literally crawl into my room and deal with my inner emotions. There is always a lot to do in caring for them!" In between, I go for walks in the forest. However, Schöler doesn't want to have anything to do with romanticizing nature. This is already demonstrated by the character of "Gelbe Blumen” (trans.: “Yellow Flowers”), the final piece on the album.
Several titles of pieces on the album are enigmatic. "(Sexy)Bikini(Atoll)" refers to the crude link between nuclear testing in the Pacific Bikini Atoll region in the 1950s and the parallel marketing of the two-piece swimsuit. "An einen Schuldigen" (trans.: “To a culprit”) leads into philosophical spheres: debt as a burden, guilt as a gift, guilt as a motive of religious practice. "Psalm A" is another chapter in a series in which Schöler refers to Bible psalms. The difference: in the meantime, he refrains from naming specific passages. He considers it important to give space to his own spiritual background. “Wo weniger Leute leben” (trans.:"Where fewer people live") was inspired by a journey to sparsely populated areas of Sweden, where pretty hamlets seem to merge with the landscape.
The pianist, who has also performed solo and as part of a duo (piano/voice) over the years, has always liked playing standards. "This jazz orthodoxy has a great appeal for me. I'm looking for something free. " He came to "My Foolish Heart" through versions by Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, the latter a central inspiration. "All Of You" was the first standard Schöler got to know.
For the man from Kleve, music is a way to find himself, "to come to peace with himself", characterized by numerous impressions, thoughts and emotions. Compositions are the starting point for collaborative improvisation. "Trio music is like a conversation in a small circle". The extraordinary qualities of the current trio with its highly developed conversation culture are also appreciated by the vibraphonist and old master David Friedman, with whom the group performed some time ago in Tübingen. He contributed tones of highest recognition to the album.
The selection of the album cover is typical Stefan Schöler, just like everything else about this excellent production. The photo by Timo Katz, a visual artist, shows the well-ordered conventionality
of a housing estate. "Typically German," Schöler smiled. There is also something mysterious in the recording for him. High above the roofs: a bird in free flight, undisturbed by what it flies over.