Peter Somuah - Walking Distance (2026) [Hi-Res]

Peter Somuah trumpet, flugelhorn
Anton de Bruin rhodes, organ, keys
Jens Meijer drums
Marijn van de Ven bass
Danny Rombout percussion
Heleen Vellekoop flute on #2
Nia Ralinova cello on #2, 3

Since the release of his ACT debut Letter to the Universe (2023) and its follow-up Highlife (2024), Ghanaian-born trumpeter Peter Somuah, now based in Rotterdam, has established himself as a bridge-builder between cultures and continents. “An excellent musician and jazz at its most international,” notes the BBC. For the globetrotting Peter Somuah, musical influences from geographically distant cultures are always just a step away. This is precisely what his new album Walking Distance is about.

Walking Distance is an exploration of musical unity — a journey through diverse genres that, despite their differences, remain deeply interconnected. The album blends elements of post-bop jazz, Arab music, Latin grooves, blues, funk, and the influences of Ghanaian music, resulting in a sonic reflection of the idea that cultural boundaries are far closer than they appear. They are, quite literally, just walking distance away.

Drawing on this broad range of influences, the album’s pieces tell stories of everyday experiences: of being on the move in the bustle of life, of setting out and arriving, of universal actions that connect all people. This sense of “storytelling” once again proves to be one of Peter Somuah’s great strengths on Walking Distance, as it was on his previous albums. With a tone that is at times radiant, at times fragile, he takes listeners along on a deeply personal journey – from Ghana’s capital Accra with its vibrant highlife scene, via stations in Asia, all the way to Europe.

The music is carried by the groove and vibe of Somuah’s multinational band, which he assembled in Rotterdam. The band, too, embodies the openness of its leader: the belief that all musicians, regardless of their background, are capable of playing any music in the world, provided they engage attentively and respectfully with its vocabulary and history.

Peter Somuah explains: “I want listeners to feel both grounded and uplifted, reconnecting with themselves and the world around them through sound. Walking Distance represents my search between tradition and innovation. It’s a story of exploring the space between, finding unity in diversity, and using music as a bridge to bring us all closer together.” The way the 29-year-old does this is a reflection of his personality: assured, relaxed, sincere, fearless – and always with a smile.