o j c - goin' south vol. 1 (2026) [Hi-Res]

Born from the encounter between Bern-based bassist Michael Dubi and Northern Italian pianist Lorenzo Blardone, the Ossola Jazz Collective was founded in the summer of 2025. The ensemble brings together a blend of artistic voices and cultural backgrounds, shaping a musical language that is both intimate and expansive.​

The lyrical compositions of bassist Michael Dubi and drummer Xavier Kaeser open wide spaces for sonic exploration—music that breathes, unfolds, and invites listeners into its subtle depths. At the heart of this soundscape is the remarkable voice of Liva Lockridge, used not merely as a carrier of text but as a fully fledged instrument. Ethereal at times, powerful at others, her voice weaves seamlessly through the ensemble’s textures, becoming an essential element of the collective’s expression.​

On four compositions, the quartet is joined by guitarist Marco di Bari, whose warm tone and melodic sensitivity enrich the ensemble’s palette and add further nuance to its storytelling.

In this configuration, Italian and Swiss musical worlds merge into a delicate, lyrical form of jazz. The pieces are poetic and introspective, each note unfolding like a small narrative. Melody, rhythm, and improvisation flow together organically—creating a musical dialogue between cultures, colours, and emotions.

Ossola Jazz Collective:
Lorenzo Blardone, piano
Michael Dubi, bass
Xavier Kaeser, drums
Livia Lockridge, vocals
Marco di Bari, guitar

Tracklist:
1-1 o j c;Marco di Bari - What Is What [3:51]
1-2 o j c - Who Is Who [3:22]
1-3 o j c;Marco di Bari - Boom Boom Pow [4:21]
1-4 o j c - Colors [3:58]
1-5 o j c;Marco di Bari - Have You Met Miss Jones [4:03]
1-6 o j c - Above [3:55]
1-7 o j c - Introspection [3:57]
1-8 o j c - Working [2:59]
1-9 o j c;Marco di Bari - PAC [4:42]