Saxophonist Esa Pietilä's Liberty Ship released their self-titled debut album in October 2013, and New York Jazz Record chose it among the top 30 jazz albums of the year.
Liberty Ship, formed in 2012, navigates the deep waters of free jazz and improvised music in constant pursuit of liberated self-expression. Acclaimed saxophonist and composer Esa Pietilä leads this all-star quartet of accomplished Finnish jazz musicians, pushing each musician to the boundaries of their creative ability. Liberty Ship is without a doubt one of the most exciting and adventurous projects to emerge from the booming Finnish jazz scene. In addition to Pietilä, Liberty Ship consists of pianist Aki Rissanen, bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Olavi Louhivuori.
The group's first recording 'Approaching' was released in November 2013 on Eclipse Music. The album showcases the remarkable quartets collective vision and the supplementary improvised material is strong evidence that there is true chemistry between the musicians. Pietilä’s vision of melodic free jazz elevates his younger companions to new creative heights.
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