Return to Mind Eyolf Dale

• 1 Midsomer Gardens 05:23
• 2 Soaring 04:36
• 3 The Mayor 05:58
• 4 Return to Mind 04:38
• 5 Naurak 06:27
• 6 Woody 04:17
• 7 Rhône 05:53
• 8 Taplow 04:45
• 9 I Can't Deny 03:57
• 10 Tranquil Dance 04:30
• Total Runtime 50:24

Info for Return to Mind

Eyolf Dale delivers the supremely lyrical and poetic ‘Return To Mind, his 4th album, following his highly acclaimed Spellemann Prize (Norwegian Grammy) nominated album ‘Wolf Valley’ (2016).

Return to Mind is the new album from Norwegian pianist & composer Eyolf Dale. Since releasing his Edition debut in June 2016, the poetic and expressive ‘Wolf Valley’, Eyolf has expanded and developed his already refined and warm sound into a powerfully emotive force. Radiating elegance and poise, Return To Mind confirms Eyolf Dale's promise and reputation as a strong band leader, creative composer and an expressive soloist with a taste for melody and interplay that summons powerful musical images.

Return to Mind’s hugely rich and vibrant sound moves gracefully between emotive pedal notes, balanced by the lush voicings of an all-star Norwegian horn section. With a superior clarity of sound and a romantic sensibility to its compositions Return to Mind is an album that demonstrates the full range, musicianship and talent of Eyolf Dale, an artist who continues to command extensive attention and growing profile.

Eyolf explains the inspiration behind his music: ‘‘Music for me is a personal statement, a musical representation of my imagination. I often start with images, sometimes abstract, sometimes stemming more from reality. All of the music on this album was made in mid-2017, between touring and travelling during a very busy period. Therefore, the composition process became a method of returning to mind, to a place of inspiration, recreation and creative work with my musical ideas. In many ways, the music represents taking this vision and magnifying its intimacy to a large group of fantastic musicians.”

With the piano firmly centre stage, the music is arresting and powerfully emotive shifting pulse and time whilst weaving folk-like melodies between horns, vibes and keys. These compositions are timeless. They stretch your imagination, pushing and pulling you with unpredictable emotions and dynamics. They are distinctly Norwegian yet expressively international. This music stems from a jazz tradition, yet is profoundly classical in its make up. Part travelogue in sound, part imaginary film soundtrack...just great music.

Return to Mind clearly demonstrates Eyolf Dale ability as a highly accomplished piano player and a skilled composer and showcases the mature lyrical introspection that we often associate with Norwegian jazz, but equally, the explorative curiosity and restless free elements that are emerging as a hallmark of the younger Nordic improvisers.

Eyolf Dale, piano
André Roligheten, tenor saxophone, clarinet
Hayden Powell, trumpet, flugelhorn
Kristoffer Kompen, trombone, euphonium
Rob Waring, vibraphone
Adrian Løseth Waade, violin
Per Zanussi, bass
Gard Nilssen drums

Recorded at The Village Recording, Copenhagen by Thomas Vang on 29th & 30th of August 2017
Mixed by August Wanngren, Copenhagen
Mastered by Thomas Eberger at Stockholm Mastering

Eyolf Dale
was born in Skien, Norway 5th of March 1985. He started playing piano at the age of 6 years, and started taking lessons shortly after. In 2009 he finished his graduate studies in Performing jazz and improvisation at Norwegian Academy of Music, and in 2011 he completed the master’s program in improvisation.

Dale is known from both his solo work, successful collaborations with a great number of jazz artists, and from bands like Albatrosh, Hayden Powell Trio, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, and more. He’s a touring and frequently recorded artist, and has contributed on most Norwegian jazz festivals in addition to international festivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, 12 Points!, Shanghai Arts Festival and Südtirol Jazz Festival. Both as a sideman and a solo performer, he has performed in countries such as the US, Germany, Nederlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Japan, England, Ireland, South Africa, Tanzania, South Korea, Italy and China.

His solo work showcases the mature lyrical introspection that’s often associated with Norwegian jazz, but equally, there is an explorative curiosity and restless free elements that is becoming an emergent hallmark of the younger Nordic improvisers.

Aawards
“1st prize for pianists” Nomme Jazz, Tallinn Estonia, 2009
“Young Jazz Musicians of the year/JazzIntro “ Molde, 2008
Skien kommunes oppmuntringspris (encouragement award, City of Skien)
“Best band” in European Jazz Competition, North Sea Jazz 2009
SpareBank1 “JazZtipendiat” – Albatrosh 2012
Nominated for Spellemannprisen in the category of Jazz 2014

This album contains no booklet.