Odysseys is the latest album from the award winning Ben Winkelman Trio.

Following the critically acclaimed The Spanish Tinge (2007 AIR Award winner for Best Independent Jazz Release) and Stomps, Pieces & Variations (2006 Australian Jazz Bell Award nominee for Best Classic Jazz Album), the Ben Winkelman Trio continues to explore new possibilities for the jazz piano trio.

Odysseys’ nine original compositions showcase the breadth of Winkelman’s musical interests, including his enthusiasm for Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, resulting in a warm and diverse soundscape.

The title refers to the two title tracks The Seven Odyssey and The Five Odyssey - long form compositions based around claves (Cuban rhythmic cells) in seven four and five four time.

The Ben Winkelman Trio are: Ben Winkelman – piano, Sam Anning – bass, Ben Vandewal – drums.

Let yourself be immersed in these captivating rhythms and beautiful melodies.

Odysseys out now on Jazzhead.

Download Odysseys bio.

Jazzhead is excited to announce the release of The Spanish Tinge from the Ben Winkelman Trio.

Following the Trio’s critically acclaimed Stomps Pieces & Variations, The Spanish Tinge further explores Winkelman’s eclectic musical experiences.

The Spanish Tinge is a collection of diverse originals, some of which feature the “Spanish Tinge”: Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, odd time claves and the influence of Argentinean tango. The album also includes a jazz treatment of a Yiddish ballad and more exploration of contemporary possibilties for stride piano and early jazz sounds. This diversity of styles reflects Winkelman’s inclusive approach to composition, seeking to give more of his varied musical interests a place in his jazz work.

The Ben Winkelman Trio are: Ben Winkelman - piano, Sam Anning - bass, Ben Vanderwal - drums
Guest players include Paul Williamson (trumpet), Lachlan McLean (alto saxophone), Julien Wilson (tenor saxophone), Ben Gillespie (trombone) and Javier Fredes (congas).

“In one of my earliest tunes, ‘New Orleans Blues’, you can hear the Spanish tinge. In fact, if you can’t manage to put tinges of Spanish in your tunes, you will never be able to get the right seasoning, I call it, for jazz.” – Jelly Roll Morton (refering to the influence of Afro-Carribean music on jazz).

Download Spanish Tinge bio.

Stomps, Pieces & Variations is the debut release from the Ben Winkelman Trio.

The compositions represent a diverse cross-section of Ben's writing with influences ranging from Herbie Hancock to Jelly Roll Morton, Brazilian music, gospel and Bartok. The title reflects the influence of pre-modern jazz styles, re-interpreted in a contemporary setting.

“While I was writing the pieces that have a stride feel, I was listening to a lot of Ellington recordings, especially the 60s suites and small group sessions. I was also attracted to the vitality and humour in the music of Jelly Roll Morton and other stride pianists. I became aware of a whole tradition in jazz that has nothing to do with bop or post-bop, and I wanted to find ways of including it in my own music.”

The pieces make use of hits, stabs and lines that are broken up across the three instruments, harking back to a Red Garland concept of the trio as a mini big band, but with a modern twist. Of course they cut loose as three improvisers as well, which almost goes without saying.

Download Stomps bio.