Strange Heavens Linda May Han Oh

• 1 Portal 04:59
• 2 Strange Heavens 04:48
• 3 Living Proof 04:14
• 4 Acapella 03:28
• 5 The Sweetest Water 04:00
• 6 Noise Machinery 05:26
• 7 Home 02:47
• 8 Paperbirds 04:38
• 9 Folk Song 03:42
• 10 Work Song 03:12
• 11 Skin 02:46
• 12 Just Waiting 04:03
• Total Runtime 48:03

Info for Strange Heavens

This album is a raw, unfiltered sonic journey propelled by the elemental force of bassist Linda May Han Oh, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, and drummer Tyshawn Sorey. The music resists categorization—shifting effortlessly from tender lyricism to electrifying intensity. It’s emotional, urgent, and unapologetically vulnerable, channeling both power and fragility in equal measure. Each track unfolds as a cathartic expedition, where improvisation becomes not just a method, but a form of truth-telling.

The power of the jazz trio is strongly felt on Strange Heavens, the new outing from acclaimed bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh. This 12-track recording finds the bassist teaming up with drummer Tyshawn Sorey, her rhythmic partner in the Vijay Iyer Trio, and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, an exceptional narrative builder who also appeared on her debut trio album Entry (2009).

With each track reflecting Oh’s distinct personality, the album opens with “Portal”, inspired by the stress-inducing nature of today’s social media. A driving bass figure sets the journey in motion, soon joined by delicate trumpet lines and crisp drumming, advancing with rhythmic nuance and melodic breath. The melancholic and moody title track, “Strange Heavens”, stands in contrast to “Living Proof”, which—drawn from her mother’s life story—comes with a rougher attitude, blending punk rock pugnacity with the iridescent hues of modern jazz.

Each members plays with overt virtuosity, crafting a flexible framework where dynamic interplay and solo statements are open to exploration. “The Sweetest Water” is one such piece, hitting hard with limpid trumpet melodicism over astute bass work and tireless drum buoyancy. Other examples include “Home” and “Paperbirds”, two of four compositions inspired by Australian author Shaun Tan’s graphic novel The Arrival. The former—infectious, complex, and ever-shifting—ventures into avant-garde and free territory, while the latter sustains a sense of flow and spontaneity regardless of the unusual time signatures.

“Noise Machinery” is a deliciously groovy number infused with funk, rock, and R&B elements, underscoring the trio’s shared wavelength. Their gift for abstraction shines, and the rendition of late pianist Geri Allen’s “Skin” reaches an exceptional polyrhythmic level with thoughtful push-pull undercurrents. In turn, trombonist Melba Liston’s “Just Waiting”, a softly brushed lullaby, closes the album with the soulful elegance of a timeless jazz standard.

By the time the album draws to a close, listeners are caught in an inescapable musical web, drawn by a creative triangulation rooted in raw, honest interplay. This marks a brilliant return for Oh to the trio format.

Ambrose Akinmusire, trumpet
Linda May Han Oh, bass
Tyshawn Sorey, drums

Linda May Han Oh
Based in New York City, GRAMMY award-winning Linda May Han Oh is a bassist/composer who has performed and recorded with artists such as Pat Metheny, Kenny Barron, Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas, Terri Lyne Carrington, Steve Wilson, Geri Allen and Vijay Iyer.

Originally born in Malaysia and raised in Boorloo (Perth), Western Australia, she has received many awards including a 2022 Deutscher Jazz Preis, 2nd place at the BASS2010 Competition, a semi-finalist at the BMW Bass competition and an honorary mention at the 2009 Thelonious Monk Bass Competition. She was voted the 2018-2021 Bassist of the Year by the Jazz Journalist’s Association, as well 2022 Bassist of the Year in Jazztimes. Linda also was voted 2019 Bassist of the Year in Hothouse Magazine and was the 2020 recipient APRA award for Best New Jazz Work. In 2023 she received the prestigious Herb Albert Award for music.

Linda has had five releases as a leader which have received critical acclaim, her latest – a quintet album entitled The Glass Hours on Biophilia Records. Her latest commissions include “Littoral Tales” a solo piano piece in two movements for Gloria Cheng, and “Ephemeral Echoes” written for percussion trio and piano trio as well as “Mirrors and Shadows” written for piano and bass duo.

Linda has written for large and small ensembles as well as for film, participating in the Sundance Labs at Skywalker Ranch and composing for several of sociologist/film maker Sabrina McCormick. Linda also composed and produced music for a collaborative film project with non-profit, “Hoperaisers” based in Korogocho, Kenya by film-maker Kizito Gamba and contributed music to his latest documentary “Calling the Shots” co-directed by Kore Abong about aspiring African women in the film-industry.

Linda is currently Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music in the bass department and is also part of the Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice led by Terri Lyne Carrington. Linda was featured on bass in the 2020 Pixar movie "Soul" under the musical direction of Jon Batiste (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) alongside drummer Roy Haynes and was the model for the character in the film - bassist “Miho.”

“her innovative range and stellar improvisations have made [her] one of the most dynamic rising stars in jazz today.” The Wall Street Journal

"A major bass voice arrives" - JazzTimes

"On Walk Against Wind...[Oh] takes a long stride forward as a bandleader and composer. The writing is intricate but flowing, tailored to the articulate grace of her band." - WBGO Take Five

“Engrossing, shapeshifting… [her] vibrant tone, close control and confident attack immediately established why she is such an in-demand performer.” The Financial Times

"One of the most fluid and instinctive bass players in New York City." - SomethingElse Reviews

This album contains no booklet.