Janning Trumann feat. Caroline Davis, Drew Gress & Jochen Rueckert - Divide The Zero (2024) [Hi-Res]

A brief drum intro, and trombone and bass immediately take center stage. "Divide The Zero" by Janning Trumann creates a space that feels familiar from the first note. Together with saxophonist Caroline Davis, bassist Drew Gress, and drummer Jochen Rueckert, Trumann leads us to an essential clarity. While the music feels fresh, its roots run deep. Trumann played with Gress during his studies in the U.S., which laid the groundwork for their collaboration on previous albums. However, for "Divide The Zero," he aimed for a reduced setup—just trombone, bass, drums, and the saxophone of Davis as a contrast.

Half of the tracks were recorded as a trio, the other half as a quartet. Trumann composed the pieces in spring 2023 with the goal of maximizing expression through minimalism. In rehearsals, the focus was on spontaneity. "We met, briefly discussed the form, then played—and it worked right away," says Trumann. The band prioritized creating space for individual sounds, rather than forcing a cohesive band sound. The music is clear and grounded, yet emotionally rich at the same time.

A central element of the album is Gress’ bass, which stands powerfully at the core. "I don’t know any other bassist whose sound is so grounded and resonates so much," says Trumann. The recordings captured an incredible calmness and clarity that defines the album. While surprises in their interplay are not lacking, the music remains relaxed. For Trumann, this reflects the essence of his instrument: "It’s not about constantly opening new doors, but about working on familiar ground and discovering something within that."

The album title "Divide The Zero" ironically refers to the impossible—dividing zero. But Trumann’s approach was to push the limits and get the most out of them. "You stick with what you can do, but try to get the best out of it," he explains. Times like these call for clarity, and "Divide The Zero" delivers exactly that—confident, determined, yet calm.

Janning Trumann - trb
Caroline Davis - sax
Drew Gress - b
Jochen Rueckert - dr