Express Yourself (Erik van der Luijt album)
Encyclopedia
Express Yourself is a 2004 (see 2004 in music
) album featuring a jazz trio, led by the Dutch jazz
pianist and composer Erik van der Luijt
.
decided to record a new album and within a month he had picked 15 jazz standards, most of them from the repertoire he had been playing with his trio for the past seven years. However, three days before the original recording date he changed his mind.
Van der Luijt quotes the fact that two members of the trio had recently married and all three had recently become a father as the drive behind the album. An increased sense of responsibity made them search more than ever for a distinctive style in order to draw more attention to themselves. Three days before the original recording date he decided that recording standards was not the best way to do this and began writing his own compositions.
The trio recorded them without rehearsal, but decided to wait until the new material had grown on them. In the following months Van der Luijt wrote forty compositions. These were all recorded (at Donk Studios in The Netherlands) to be able to analyse them in the best possible way.
At that point drummer Philip ten Bosch had to drop out. He had taken a full time job to be able to support his family. This was a major setback to the project because his original style of drumming had become an important part of the trio's sound. He was replaced by Victor de Boo, who had briefly worked with Van der Luijt years earlier.
The album Express Yourself was hailed as "a masterpiece" in the press. "Erik van der Luijt knows his Oscar Peterson
, Tommy Flanagan
and Bill Evans
and used their influences to create an exquisite mixture in which coquetry and adventure go hand-in-hand. At times he even comes close to Flanagan's masterpiece Jazz Poet. Those who know this monument from the piano discography, appreciate that there is hardly a bigger compliment." - Jeroen de Valk, Het Utrechts Nieuwsblad
All music composed by Erik van der Luijt
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
) album featuring a jazz trio, led by the Dutch jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist and composer Erik van der Luijt
Erik van der Luijt
Erik van der Luijt is a Dutch jazz pianist / keyboard player, arranger, composer, producer and band leader.-History:Erik van der Luijt started playing the piano at the age of four...
.
History
In April 2003 Erik van der LuijtErik van der Luijt
Erik van der Luijt is a Dutch jazz pianist / keyboard player, arranger, composer, producer and band leader.-History:Erik van der Luijt started playing the piano at the age of four...
decided to record a new album and within a month he had picked 15 jazz standards, most of them from the repertoire he had been playing with his trio for the past seven years. However, three days before the original recording date he changed his mind.
Van der Luijt quotes the fact that two members of the trio had recently married and all three had recently become a father as the drive behind the album. An increased sense of responsibity made them search more than ever for a distinctive style in order to draw more attention to themselves. Three days before the original recording date he decided that recording standards was not the best way to do this and began writing his own compositions.
The trio recorded them without rehearsal, but decided to wait until the new material had grown on them. In the following months Van der Luijt wrote forty compositions. These were all recorded (at Donk Studios in The Netherlands) to be able to analyse them in the best possible way.
At that point drummer Philip ten Bosch had to drop out. He had taken a full time job to be able to support his family. This was a major setback to the project because his original style of drumming had become an important part of the trio's sound. He was replaced by Victor de Boo, who had briefly worked with Van der Luijt years earlier.
The album Express Yourself was hailed as "a masterpiece" in the press. "Erik van der Luijt knows his Oscar Peterson
Oscar Peterson
Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was called the "Maharaja of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, "O.P." by his friends. He released over 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, and received other numerous awards and honours over the course of his career...
, Tommy Flanagan
Tommy Flanagan
Thomas Lee Flanagan was an American jazz pianist born in Detroit, Michigan, particularly remembered for his work with Ella Fitzgerald...
and Bill Evans
Bill Evans
William John Evans, known as Bill Evans was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists including: Chick Corea, Herbie...
and used their influences to create an exquisite mixture in which coquetry and adventure go hand-in-hand. At times he even comes close to Flanagan's masterpiece Jazz Poet. Those who know this monument from the piano discography, appreciate that there is hardly a bigger compliment." - Jeroen de Valk, Het Utrechts Nieuwsblad
Track listing
- "Corleone" – 5:21
- "Keep On Walking" – 4:34
- "Havana Blue" – 3:25
- "Minor Changes" – 7:30
- "Mucho Macho" – 5:46
- "Nostalgia" – 4:51
- "Me And My Guitar" – 4:10
- "Ilse & Ellen" – 4:41
- "Land of the Triplets" – 4:52
- "Skyscape" – 4:24
- "No Guts No Glory" – 5:41
All music composed by Erik van der Luijt
Erik van der Luijt
Erik van der Luijt is a Dutch jazz pianist / keyboard player, arranger, composer, producer and band leader.-History:Erik van der Luijt started playing the piano at the age of four...
Personnel
- Erik van der LuijtErik van der LuijtErik van der Luijt is a Dutch jazz pianist / keyboard player, arranger, composer, producer and band leader.-History:Erik van der Luijt started playing the piano at the age of four...
- pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Branko Teuwen - bassBass (instrument)Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
- Victor de Boo - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....