Joost Zoeteman Bart Tarenskeen Wim de Vries Standard - No Standard - CR73598 - Jazz

In a time when musical genres are constantly in dialogue with one another, Standard - No Standard proves that the jazz tradition is not only alive but also constantly evolving. This album, the result of a powerful collaboration between guitarist Joost Zoeteman, bassist Bart Tarenskeen, and drummer Wim de Vries, showcases how three musicians masterfully strike a balance between reverence for jazz history and a fresh, contemporary approach. The album features a blend of four original compositions by Tarenskeen and one by Zoeteman, alongside carefully selected jazz standards. The title Standard - No Standard seems to allude to the freedom the trio takes in interpreting the standards of jazz—honoring tradition while moving beyond it. It speaks to the inherent risks of being a jazz musician: the constant play with unpredictability, the thrill of improvisation, and the delicate balance of freedom and structure. The trio’s lineup of guitar, double bass, and drums is a classic in jazz, yet rare in its simplicity, creating a soundscape that is both compact and rich. Each track reflects a deep love for the genre, while remaining fresh and current. This trio dares to dive into the tradition, respects it, but also renews it. They breathe in the history of jazz and exhale it transformed, infused with their own unique voices. Standard - No Standard is not only a showcase of virtuosity but also a conversation between past and present. The album demonstrates that jazz, in its most classic form, is still highly relevant today, and that innovation and taking risks are at the heart of this musical life. This trio convincingly shows that jazz, like life itself, is always in motion.