The quartet, led by drummer-composer Joonas Leppänen, will return with a new full-length album. 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 will return on April 9 with a new full-length album released by 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 has risen to Spotify’s most watched jazz playlists, State of Jazz and Jazz X-Press.
The first single November Ghost is now available on streaming services: http://kud.li/wjdl55
Alder Ego’s III will be 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) will also be available in a 2LP package.
"More Hot Hot Jazz From Cool Cool Finland.. Recommended."
– Paul Murphy / Jazz Room Records
"Lush moments during this unpredictable piece (November Ghost)."
– John Osborne / Jazz FM
"We Jazz continues to bless us with forward-thinking yet classic jazz numbers like this, what more could one ask for."
– Kerem Gokmen / Dubmission
"Niiiiiice."
– Jonathan More / Coldcut
Alder Ego: III
We Jazz Records LP / Digital (WJLP31)
Release date: 9.4.2021 (LP & digital)
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
Alder Ego
Joonas Leppänen, drums / Tomi Nikku, trumpet / Jarno Tikka, tenor saxophone / Nathan Francis, double bass
+ Natalia Castrillón, harp (in the song Ephemeral)
Compositions: Joonas Leppänen (except 2. J. Tikka & T. Nikku, 7. N Francis)
Production: Joonas Leppänen & Matti Nives
Recording and mixing: Joonas Saikkonen
Mastering: Jarno Alho
Band photos: Mathias Foster
Magazine photos: Henri Hämäläinen
Design: Matti Nives
http://www.facebook.com/alderegojazz
http://www.instagram.com/alderegomusic
http://wejazzrecords.bandcamp.com/album/iii
#wejazzrecords