Per Mollehoj, Kirk Knuffke & Thommy Andersson - 'S Wonderful (2022)

Many serious younger musicians revisit the past for inspiration, connecting to forgotten and overlooked attributes in and of the American art form. Consider, for a moment, the trio on this album – three accomplished musicians who had not previously worked together but who convened with the shared expectation of listening to each other and lettng the music speak for itself in service of a common goal. Guitarist Per Møllehøj, cornetist Kirk Knuffke, and bassist Thommy Andersson do not live in the past. They are patient, fearless, and secure enough to let the music find its own natural tempo – both bluesy and intimate – at the same time stealthily reinventing old songs out of the New Orleans tradition and interpreting some newer ones written in-the-style-of that same sound. The trio plays music that is deeply rooted in tradition without being overly traditional, and they present it as fresh, modern music with moments of drama, dynamism, and joy… each selection interpreted with good taste and grace. 'S Wonderful is a chamber jazz recording that does everything it needs to and more: it melts hearts and compels listeners to tap their feet along when the trio gently sets the first song into motion. Listeners won’t have to hear much to be convinced of its joyful, relaxed, and swinging message… with a touch of nostalgia that warms you up from the inside. Enjoy it! ‘S Wonderful! ‘S Marvelous!