Floating Islands

Album Description

Dive into the spontaneous and exhilarating world of free jazz with Lotte Anker's "Floating Islands," a live album that captures the essence of improvisation and musical synergy. Recorded at the 2008 Copenhagen Jazz Festival, this album features the dynamic trio of Lotte Anker on saxophones, Craig Taborn on piano, and Gerald Cleaver on drums, delivering a raw and unfiltered performance that showcases their collective virtuosity and individual brilliance.

"Floating Islands" is a testament to the power of live performance, where each note is a conversation between the musicians, and every moment is a unique expression of their shared musical language. The album opens with the title track, "Floating," setting the stage with repetitive phrases on the saxophone, accompanied by minimal, muted drumming. This sets the tone for the rest of the album, which includes tracks like "Ritual," "Transitory Blossom," "Backwards River," and "Even Today I'm Still Arriving," each offering a different facet of the trio's improvisational prowess.

With a duration of 54 minutes, "Floating Islands" is a journey through the avant-garde and experimental realms of jazz, where tradition meets innovation. The album was released on November 23, 2009, under the ILK Music label, and has since been acclaimed for its spontaneous energy and musical depth. Whether you're a seasoned jazz enthusiast or a curious newcomer, "Floating Islands" offers a captivating exploration of the boundless possibilities of free jazz.

November 23, 2009

(P) 2009 ILK Music

About Lotte Anker

Lotte Anker is a pioneering Danish saxophonist and composer who has carved out a unique niche in the realms of experimental jazz, improvisation, and contemporary music. Born in Copenhagen in 1958, Anker's journey began with classical piano studies, but it was her discovery of the saxophone and the influential works of John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter that set her on a path to innovation. Her music is a captivating blend of melodic intricacy and abstract textures, ranging from minimalist transparency to dense, expressive soundscapes. Anker is renowned for her dynamic interplay between free improvisation and compositional structure, making her performances both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. As a co-leader of the Copenhagen Art Ensemble, alongside Marilyn Crispell and Ture Larsen, she continues to push the boundaries of jazz, earning international acclaim and solidifying her status as one of Denmark's most distinguished musical exports. Her discography, including notable albums like "Birthmark," "Alien Huddle," and "Floating Islands," showcases her versatility and artistic depth, making her a must-experience artist for any jazz enthusiast.