Jonas Cambien - MAN EATING TREE (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Tre
02. Arból
03. Silverware Vibrating Inside Grand Piano
04. BOOM

‘Man Eating Tree’ marks the latest release from pianist Jonas Cambien who – despite making music amidst a variety of groups and ensembles over the years – unveils his first solo full-length positioning him at the helm for a fiercely bold and imaginative release.

For The Belgian-born, Oslo-based musician, improvisation has long featured as a leading component within his music and has proved to be a characteristic shared and embraced by the vast array of collaborators he has managed to partner with throughout his journey. The aspects of improvisation, particularly within the context of collaborative experiences, is what makes the release of ‘Man Eating Tree’ so compelling for long-time listeners of Cambien’s music to date.

Whether the projects have found the pianist as leader of the Jonas Cambien Trio, working with the powerhouse ensemble that is Maca Conu or through one of his duo projects with drummer Paal Nilssen-Love or with bassist Adrian Myhr under the Simiskina banner, Cambien thrives from the explorative elements afforded to him via the dynamic energy from each line-up.

Even though Cambien’s efforts have positioned him as a leading name within Oslo’s jazz landscape, the explorations don’t stop there as his efforts as one-third of The Handover alongside oudist Aly Eissa and violinist Ayman Asfour have generated stunning results that draw on Arabic and Egyptian folk roots intertwined with a European improvisational sensibility.

Released through the Norwegian label Sonic Transmissions Records – home to projects by Karl Bjorå Trio, The Young Mothers and Erik Johannessen & The Flying Carpets – ‘Man Eating Tree’ is comprised of four long-form compositions that run the gamut of introspective meditations to rousing and spirited performances.

Lead single ‘Tre’ serves as a standout number when highlighting the sheer skill of Cambien as a performer; clocking in excess of nine minutes, Cambien does everything to convince the listener that a minimum of six hands are surely at work and it can make for a mind-boggling, while still engaging, experience. A video on Cambien’s YouTube channel (“Man Eating Tree teaser”) provides inspired context for the genius wizardry employed in bringing the pianist’s first foray into solo performance to life.

There’s a fascinating nature to Cambien’s music that finds him challenging and reconstructing his music through each ensemble so while the minimalist approach of him alone with a piano might appear less adventurous than larger ensembles or cross-culture collaborations, ‘Man Eating Tree’ actually proves the next logical progression to his sound and perhaps the boldest move he could possibly make.