Christoph Irniger Pilgrim - Italian Circus Story (2014)

Based in Zurich, saxophonist Christoph Irniger is due to release the new album from Pilgrim, his quintet, on Intakt Records. This is the follow-up to his successful trio CD Gowanus Canal. The ensemble, founded in 2009, has changed its line-up over the years and developed into one of the most exciting bands of the young European jazz scene. New in the band are pianist Stefan Aeby and double bass player Raffaele Bosshard who is also a member of Irnigers trio.The new album Italian Circus Story has a mediterranean feel. The compositions leave plenty of space for spontaneity and improvisation when the group divides into instrumental subsections. Sometimes the pieces are precisely composed, sometimes just sketches. For Irniger, notes are doors leading to musical spaces to be explored. Whenever a particular musician takes up the melody, a different musical story is told. Berlin jazz critic Rolf Thomas praises the recording to the skies: On the new album Irniger is in great shape. He is one of the big promises of the Swiss jazz scene at the moment.