Dragør Jesper Thorn

• 1About Fathers and Sons05:59
• 2Boy05:06
• 3Upside Down06:39
• 4Dragør (part 1)03:16
• 5Dragør (part 2)04:11
• 6Asthma Breath03:16
• 7Sweeping It Under the Rug05:56
• 8About Fathers08:35
• Total Runtime42:58

Info for Dragør

Danish bassist Jesper Thorn has come to be known for his deeply personal, introspective, soul-searching sound through which he strives to untangle his innermost thoughts and conflicts. A followup to his award-winning 2020 release ‘Boy’, ‘Dragør’ dives into his complex feelings towards the town by the same name in which he grew up. The third album under his own name, it’s set to release on September 29th on April Records.

Rooted firmly in the Scandinavian jazz idiom, ‘Dragør’ is unwaveringly beautiful with a complexity and darkness to it that reflects Thorn’s turbulent emotional relationship to his hometown. His stories he set to music include his strained relationship with his father, overcoming a debilitating case of asthma brought on by being born five weeks early, dealing with feeling that he didn’t belong, and the deep-seated silence and guilt that came from his Catholic heritage.

Thorn’s new record carries forward the same lineup as his previous two bodies of work - Marc Méan on piano/electronics and Tobias Wiklund on cornet, with the new additions of Andreas Bernitt on violin and viola and April Records labelmate Cecilie Strange on tenor saxophone.

Melancholic harmony and intricate songwriting provide the delicate framework through which each member of Thorn’s quintet can impart their own impressions and feelings on his stories. The arrangements create space for every corner of the quintet to carry melodies, be they written or improvised, and the resulting sound is dynamic, evolving, and highly immersive.

The gentle timbre of Strange’s tenor, lamenting cornet melodies, soaring strings, warm synth textures, muted pianos and masterful musicianship all contribute to the realisation of Thorn’s cohesive conceptual and musical vision.

Jesper Thorn, double bass, electronics
Marc Méan, piano, electronics
Tobias Wiklund, cornet
Cecilie Strange, tenor saxophone
Andreas Bernitt, violin, viola (except on Asthma Breath)

Jesper Thorn
is a Copenhagen-based composer and double bass player. He grew up in Dragør, on the outskirts of Copenhagen.

He graduated with a master degree in music performance from the prestigious Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen (2011) including studies in New York with Ralph Alessi, Marc Helias, John Hébert, Ben Monder and Eric McPherson.

While attending RMC he studied with a.o. Anders Jormin, Arild Andersen, Jesper Bodilsen and Klavs Hovman.

He has worked as a sideman and artistic collaborator with people such as Ralph Alessi, August Rosenbaum, Palle Mikkelborg, Thomas Agergaard, Lars Jansson, Jacob Karlzon, Jacob Christoffersen, Alex Riel, Nikolaj Hess, author, filmmaker and danish icon Jørgen Leth and the great danish poet Søren Ulrik Thomsen.

He has recieved grants from Jacob Gade Fonden (2009), DJBFA (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019), Danish Musicians Association (2009, 2015), Wilhelm Hansen Fonden (2009), and won the price for best soloist at Getxo International Jazzfestival (2009).

This album contains no booklet.