Diederik Wissels - The hillock songstress (1994)

Diederik Wissels is one of the rare musicians able to bring us far beyond ourselves or deep within, without us being really able to say which. Attention and distraction sit close together. His music has been noted through collaborations with Steve Houben, Larry Schneider, Philip Catherine, Chet baker, Toots Thielemans. Active as a musician, an accomplished theorist and practitioner, a pianist of irreproachable sound and pedigree. A dandy of sorts.

In “The Hillock Songstress” we find all these qualities showcased in a trio, magnified by the lyricism of the guests: Kurt Van Herck on sax more than convincing ; Gwenaël Micault proving that the fashion for bandoneons is more than a fashion; the percussionists who keep the rhythm up and singer David Linx who is quite simply David Linx – essential. If an European jazz current exists, the one of Keith Jarrett or Jan Garbarek for example, Diederik Wissels music belongs to it.

“The Hillock Songstress” has been chosen by “Le Monde de la Musique as “Choc de la Musique 1994”.