Andreas Toftemark & Benny Benack III - Roadmap (2025) [Hi-Res]

April Records, a leading Danish progressive jazz label, has announced the upcoming November release of the debut album Roadmap by the Toftemark/Benack III Quintet. The project is co-led by Copenhagen-born saxophonist Andreas Toftemark and Emmy-nominated New York trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III. The quintet, which aims to bridge Nordic lyricism with New York's hard-driving energy, also features pianist Rasmus Sørensen (2024 Danish Music Award winner), Finnish bassist Kaisa Mäensivu, and New York drummer Joe Peri (Grammy winner). Roadmap is a set of original compositions, born from tours and reflecting contributions from each member, including Toftemark's modal title track, Mäensivu's funk-tinged piece, and Sørensen's harmonically dense track. The album includes intimate moments, such as the co-written song Again featuring Benack's vocals. The music draws inspiration from classic hard bop but its core identity lies in the creative connection between the Copenhagen and New York jazz scenes.

Andreas Toftemark | Tenor Saxophone
Benny Benack III | Trumpet, Vocals on ‘Again’
Rasmus Sørensen | Piano
Kaisa Mäensivu | Double Bass
Joe Peri | Drums

Tracklist:
1. Andreas Toftemark & Benny Benack III - Roadmap
2. Andreas Toftemark & Benny Benack III - Icebreaker
3. Andreas Toftemark & Benny Benack III - Again
4. Andreas Toftemark & Benny Benack III - A New York Attitude
5. Andreas Toftemark & Benny Benack III - Underground
6. Andreas Toftemark & Benny Benack III - The Lemur
7. Andreas Toftemark & Benny Benack III - Tilværelse
8. Andreas Toftemark & Benny Benack III - What Gets You