Jasper Høiby (DK)

Copenhagen-born bassist Jasper Høiby created the trio Phronesis in 2005. Høiby has performed and continues to perform and record with a number of original artists, including Mark Guiliana, Django Bates, Shai Maestro, Jeff Ballard, Miquel Zenón, Louis Cole, Julian Joseph, Julian Arguelles, Jef Neve, Marc O’Reilly, Ana Silvera, Kurt Elling, Teis Semey, Kit Downes, Xavi Torres, Sun Mi Hong, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Pascal Schumacher, Gwilym Simcock, Antonio Loureiro, Tom Arthurs, Mark Lockheart, Liam Noble, Julia Biel, Seb Rochford, Kairos 4tet, Makaya McCraven, Ben Lamar Gay, Richard Spaven and Jim Hart.

Now, Høiby is unraveling a new chapter with his new trio, 3Elements, a project that aims to celebrate and explore the power, versatility, and energy of the trio with the same characteristic poise that Phronesis enjoyed yet with a more coherent and individualistic approach.

The trio, featuring the pianist Chaerin Im on piano and Jamie Peet on drums, alongside Høiby’s foundational bass, releases Like Water, an album that flows like its namesake, through a journey of composition and improvisation. For Jasper Høiby, three voices is a number of special symbolic significance  of support, creativity, and the potential for discovery within the confines of three interconnected roles. As he explains, “A Piano trio is the ultimate format for me – it has everything you need to really express yourself – dynamically, texturally, rhythmically, melodic and harmonically, yet it’s nimble enough to go somewhere without any preconceived discussion or communication”. 

Phronesis, celebrated for its empathetic interplay and adventurous improvisation, laid the groundwork for what Høiby seeks to explore further with 3Elements. This new project amplifies his quest for a more personal and nuanced expression within the piano trio format, marrying the intricate rhythms and harmonies he’s known for with a fresh, individualistic flair.