For those not in the know, Confluence is a new set of works from Korean-German contemporary jazz long-term collaborators, pianist Sujae Jung and double bassist Wolf Robert Stratmann.

Extending their intricate duo setting with two renowned jazz exceptionalists, US guitarist Steve Cardenas and Serbian drummer Marko Djordjevic, their performance takes an ever more refined shape.

Five original compositions, part quartet versions of previous works, part entirely new titles, continue the duo’s nature-inspired writing style, but also reach out further to their musical influences.

Heartfelt interplay of not only an international and generation-spanning, but also a genre-transcending personnel, flows together in an evocative composition of four expressive entities, embracing the unifying spirit of jazz music and setting an example of what “passing the torch” can look like.

Recorded by Jason Rostowski in an exclusive live performance in front of a selected audience at the recently opened Second Take Sound Studio, owned by singer, songwriter, and poet Reed Turchi, in Manhattan, New York, the album continues the project’s warm, high-fidelity sound with the addition of an authentic live record vibe.

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Ken Rich from Grand Street Studios, Brooklyn, New York, Confluence is truly a great coming together of many.

1. Tree Huggers (feat. Steve Cardenas & Marko Djordjevic) [6:53]
2. Summer Whale (feat. Steve Cardenas & Marko Djordjevic) [6:51]
3. This Wine Tastes Very Dry (feat. Steve Cardenas & Marko Djordjevic) [5:51]
4. The Pull (feat. Steve Cardenas & Marko Djordjevic) [6:00]
5. After Sunset (feat. Marko Djordjevic) [3:34]

The quartet’s easy going, rhythmically textured new album opens on the melodically resonant Tree Huggers and the energetically cadenced Summer Whale and then we get the emotive ballad This Wine Tastes Very Dry, the set rounding out on the flourishingly lively The Pull, the album closing on the delicately ambient After Sunset.

Musicians:
Sujae Jung — piano; Wolf Robert Stratmann – double bass; Steve Cardenas – guitar; Marko Djordjevic – drums