Kilian Kemmer Trio feat. Masaki Kai & Matthias Gmelin - Und Zarathustra tanzte (2021) [Hi-Res]

Many jazz musicians bring a range of other influences to their work, but German pianist Kilian Kemmer is perhaps unusual in that his primary inspiration for this album is the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.

It’s perhaps unsurprising, though, given that Kemmer himself has a doctorate in philosophy.

In Und Zarathustra Tanzte (out April 30th) his trio explores the concept of the ‘eternal return’ – both via the motific compositions and through interpretations of a Nietzsche poem (The Other Dance Song) and a piece which the Nietzsche himself composed (Das Fragment an sich).

But whilst the subject matter might be weighty, the treatment of these compositions show why Jazzthing magazine described the trio as having “a timeless quality.”

Sometimes minimalistic, sometimes lyrical, but always with a subtle energy, the playing is perhaps quintessentially European: respectful of the vintage jazz piano trios that came before, whilst proudly displaying Kemmer’s classical beginnings.

This last comment, too, explains the addition of a single jazz standard to the album, in Duke Ellington’s ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.

Kilian Kemmer| piano, compositions
Masaki Kai | bass
Matthias Gmelin | drums