Thomas Nordhausen - Slow Boat (2023)

With "Slow Boat" the pianist Stefan Michalke and the guitarist Thomas Nordhausen have released their first CD as a duo. When it comes to jazz piano and guitar, one inevitably has to think of the legendary recordings by Bill Evans and Jim Hall. At the same time, however, it is also noticeable that there are comparatively few releases with this line-up. One more reason to realize this CD!

An additional attraction for these recordings was the reinterpretation of the ten original compositions in the intimate atmosphere of a duo. Most of the pieces were originally conceived for larger ensembles, and some were even arranged for orchestra.

The duo uses odd meters in their compositions, such as Michalke's "Elfen", which is written in 11/8 time, as well as traditional forms such as the jazz waltz "Walz for Bill", dedicated to the pianist Bill Evans. By the way, a composition by the guitarist...

The reduction to just two instruments enables a different kind of musical interaction. On "Slow Boat" one hears a communication between two musicians who have been friends for a long time and who enjoy exploring the freedom that the small line-up allows

The guitarist Thomas Nordhausen has played in a wide variety of formations over the past 30 years. He has worked with musicians as diverse as Xaver Fischer, Frederik Köster, Paul Lovens, Paul Lytton, Ike Stubblefield, the Aachen Symphony Orchestra and Felix Janosa. Current projects are the duo 'Michalke/Nordhausen' and 'Forsonics'. CD releases include "Playground" Du-O-Sonic; "Bonefunk" and "Soulfields" Bonefunk; "Monkey Zoo" Hookerman; "O.G. & the forbidden groove species” by Gerd Breuer.

Thomas Nordhausen studied at the Maastricht Conservatory and passed the concert exam in 1994. He refined his musical education at various workshops. In the meantime he worked as a guest lecturer at the Maastricht Conservatory. He has been leading the Aachen jazz workshop for eight years.

Stefan Michalke was born in Cologne and got his first musical influences early on through playing the piano and his father's work as an organist.

After receiving classical piano lessons, his first compositions and improvisations soon followed.
He played in various rock bands and became increasingly interested in jazz music.

Between 1989 and 1994 he studied jazz piano at the Maastricht Conservatory. Since then he has released numerous CDs in different line-ups, both with his own projects and compositions and as a sideman. As a jazz pianist, he has undertaken concert tours to Eastern Europe, Asia, Brazil and the USA and has toured several times with the New York jazz singer Sheila Jordan.

Stefan Michalke works as a freelance musician, plays in various band projects and teaches at various music schools. Once a month he plays with his trio and guests in a jazz club in Aachen.