VIDEO TINEKE POSTMA ARIA Group feat. Ben Monder LIVE
Downbeat 2023 ****
“Dutch saxophonist Tineke Postma’s Aria is many things, starting with a listening pleasure. Open and airy, the album is neither simple nor extremely difficult, but instead original, inviting and rewarding of repeated listening.”
Volkskrant 2023 (Netherlands) ****
“A beautifully versatile album by a amazing quartet”
Jazz Magazine (France) 2023
Declared Les Chocs of the Month
The Daily Jazz Blog (2023)
“Given the quality here there are so many multiple interpretations of response possible which is just one reason why this latest album from the remarkable Postma - taking up the mantle of Lee Konitz and making a paradigm shift that contributes so much to the state of the art - works so well.”
DOWNBEAT REVIEW 2023
FULL ALBUM OUT NOW May 5th, 2023
Available on all streaming platforms!
Tineke Postma Alto and soprano sax
Ben Monder Guitar
Robert Landfermann Double Bass
Tristan Renfrow. Drums
Recorded by Stephan van Wylick at Tonstudio Fattoria Musica, Darumer Straße 60, Osnabrück, Germany, 11th-12th April 2022.
Editing by Alessandro Mazzieri 5th May 2022.
Mixed and mastered by Dave Darlington 21st-22nd May, 2022 at Bass Hit Recording, NY, USA.
Collage artwork by Johanna von Olderhausen.
Design by Oli Bentley, Split.
Produced by Tineke Postma
Co-produced by Tristan Renfrow
Executive producer Dave Stapleton
Tineke Postma, the highly acclaimed bandleader, composer, and saxophonist, is set to release her eagerly awaited 8th album Aria in May 2023 via Edition Records. Aria reflects Tineke’s personal musical journey since the release of her “Freya” album in February 2020, featuring new compositions, including pieces inspired by the Bimhuis Composition Assignment 2021. The title “Aria” represents Tineke’s passion for incorporating breath and space in her music, which, she feels, is more important than ever in today’s world. It also signifies melody, and is a musical form central to opera, an influence on Tineke and one she holds dear: in particular the expressive and lyrical singing of Maria Callas.
The appeal of the word Aria lies in its versatility. It means “song” or “melody” in Italian, and literally translates to “air,” a musical term used for an elaborate vocal solo in opera. Tineke holds a fond memory of hearing legendary opera singer Maria Callas for the first time at age 10, which left a lasting impression on her and shaped her love for strong lyrical melodies. The lyricism, drama, and intensity in Callas’ singing has stayed with Tineke ever since and remains a foundation of her musical style. As Tineke explains; “My saxophone playing style, as an instrumental expression closest to the human voice, has always been influenced by the melodic vocal lyricism in the music of greats like MAria Callas. The word “Aria,” meaning “air,” also inspires me to allow my music to breathe, whether it’s intense or serene. One of the things we as musicians can do for the community and humanity as a whole is to let peace, awareness and the beauty of music and life resonate through our compositions and playing.” There is so much going on in our world right now; we all can use some space, breath and air when we create and deal with life.”“Through the years I’ve come to realise that AIR is the most important element I need as a horn player and human being. I try to always ask myself before I pick up my horn; how am I feeling right now? Do I feel grounded? Breathing properly gets me into a zone of focus and relaxation in order to be as creative and play as well as possible.
This album is a mix of instant composed ensemble improvisations and composed music by Tineke. Besides lyrical melodies and adventurous rhythms, she focuses on musical elements such as sound, space, textures, ambience and orchestration inspired by the music of Ben Monder, Bill Frisell, Paul Motion, electric music from the 1970s by Miles Davis and the full oeuvre of her hero Wayne Shorter.
For some of her “compositions” Tineke used clear musical forms based on certain Aria forms, with a clear beginning and end, some shorter and longer or through composed Aria forms. Until 1400 the Aria signified a style of singing, after 1700 it referred to an instrumental form. Back then the Aria consisted of three parts. One of Tineke’s compositions, called The Sky Is Everywhere is influenced by this. After 1850 a concert Aria was a song which stood alone without being part of a larger work with one mood and one tempo. Leaning Into the Afternoons, Those Who Are Closely and Ballad are good examples of this concept. The Aria part of an opera is the moment of reflection and expression of the story. As Tineke always says; “I like to tell stories with my work and playing”.
