Personnel:
Tom Ollendorff (g), Aaron Parks (p), Conor Chaplin (b), James Maddren (d)
Reference: FSNT-719
Bar code: 8427328437196
Official release date: October 31st, 2025
In March 2024 pianist Aaron Parks joined my quartet for a 10 day tour of the UK and Ireland, which featured drummer James Maddren and bassist Conor Chaplin (the wonderful drummer David Ingamells played the opening two nights).
I knew immediately after this tour that I wanted my next recording to feature these musicians, and 15 months later we were playing again in London for two nights at the Vortex Jazz Club ahead of a two day recording session at Livingston Studios.
I have always found the process of recording my own music daunting. I was conscious that I wanted to create an album which explored my whole musical identity through my compositions and recaptured the band energy of our previous tour.
I wanted to share a thought that kept coming back to me while I was writing the music and preparing for the recording. In the last year I have spent countless hours listening to Gustav Mahler’s wonderful and challenging music. Mahler famously stated that ‘a symphony must be like the world, it must contain everything.’ In the lead up to the recording, I kept reflecting on that sentiment, perhaps interpreting it in my own way, but I can truly say I have tried my best to express my whole musical world through this collection of compositions.
I could not have made this album without the extraordinary contribution of Aaron, James and Conor. I relied heavily on their musical intuition and interpretive skills in bringing the music to life and I am so grateful to them.
I would also like to thank the incredible recording and mixing engineer Alex Killpartrick, who I have collaborated with on my past three albums and to John Kye who captured the whole session on film.
It’s fantastic to be working again with Jordi Pujol at Fresh Sound Records. It would be impossible to find a person who is more passionate about jazz than Jordi, and I am grateful for his support and friendship. I am also excited to begin a new journey working with MOCLOUD, who will be presenting this music exclusively in Japan.
Thank you to my friends, family and especially my partner Megan for her support and wisdom. Finally, I would like to thank you for supporting my music, I hope we see each other at a concert some time soon.
All the best,
—Tom Ollendorff
