Biography

The quartet, led by drummer-composer Joonas Leppänen, released a new album in the spring of 2021. In addition to Leppänen, Alder Ego consists of trumpet player Tomi Nikku, tenor saxophonist Jarno Tikka, bassist Nathan Francis and guest artist harpist Natalia Castrillón.

Drummer-composer Joonas Leppänen's quartet Alder Ego released their third full-length album released with We Jazz Records. III is a sequel to the second album II, which gathered widespread notice hereand elsewhere in 2018. The American jazz bible DownBeat praised the previous album, saying ”Leppänen raises the bar with his expressionist compositions." The recent recording deepens the band’s recognizable, contemplative jazz sound, reminiscent of genre greats like Ornette Coleman. The digitally released first single November Ghost rose to Spotify’s most watched jazz playlists, State of Jazz and Jazz X-Press.

"Alder Ego's new music was born in different locations and circumstances, for example on the Swedish island of Gotland in the spring of 2020, when the pandemic was still in the early stages. I am a passionate film buff, and just like the director needs to get the best out of their actors, I feel that jazz composer's task is to strive for the same music "I write my compositions specifically for the musicians playing in Alder Ego," says Leppänen. "I think when the pandemic is finally over, we need music more than ever. It's a real privilege to have new music released in 2021. Let's keep doing things that make sense to ourselves."

Alder Ego’s III was released on April 9, 2021 on all digital platforms and in black and orange color vinyl. The band's two We Jazz releases (II & III) were also be available in a 2LP package.

Tracklist

1. Love And Maladies
2. Impermanence
3. La Nuit 
4. I Saw It In a Dream 
5. November Ghost
6. The Gordian Knot
7. Nathan's World
8. Ephemeral