Trio Lars Danielsson, Verneri Pohjola, John Parricelli

• 1 Le Calme au Château 03:44
• 2 Cattusella 03:47
• 3 Morgonpsalm 04:04
• 4 Playing with the Groove 02:56
• 5 La Chanson d'Hélène 03:59
• 6 L'époque 03:14
• 7 Gold in Them Hills 03:51
• 8 Improvisado 03:01
• 9 Mood Indigo 02:03
• 10 Étude Bleue 02:31
• 11 Lacour 04:11
• 12 Peu d'Amour 03:08
• Total Runtime 40:29

Info for Trio

This is the second edition of the collaboration between ACT and Château Palmer—one of the most legendary Grands Crus from Bordeaux’s Left Bank. This time, Château Palmer itself became the exclusive recording venue for an equally exceptional ensemble. TRIO features internationally acclaimed bassist, cellist, and composer Lars Danielsson, alongside two jazz greats from the North: Finnish trumpeter Verneri Pohjola and British guitarist John Parricelli. The music captures the unique atmosphere of the château, reflecting the tranquility, beauty, and intimacy of the recording setting. This album vividly brings to life the original vision behind the ACT and Château Palmer collaboration: to capture the magic that occurs when extraordinary artists converge in an extraordinary place.

Commitment, consistency and a strong forward-thinking spirit. These are the core values which connect ACT, one of Europe’s leading labels "in the spirit of jazz", with Château Palmer, one of the most mythical Grands Crus from Bordeaux’s Left Bank. The partnership between them combines their worlds of music, wine and cutting-edge art.

The art form with which winemaking shares by far the most attributes must be jazz. Like Château Palmer, jazz has deep roots, and walks a flirtatious line between rigour and innovation. At its heart, jazz implies respecting a tradition while constantly enriching it. Is winemaking an art or a craft? Aesthetes and academics have been debating this question for several millennia. Like art, don’t we recognize a transcendent wine precisely by its power to transport us to the most unexpected places? To move us to exaltation, evoking sensations, images and aromas wholly unconnected with grapes: truffle, violets, silk, velvet, satin… For ten years between 2010 and 2019, the wines of Château Palmer have not only been tasted but also heard. Vintages have been unveiled live from the estate’s barrel room through the notes of great jazzmen of our time: Michel Portal, Yaron Herman, Dan Tepfer & Thomas Enhco, Émile Parisien or the legendary Archie Shepp and his Quartet, to name a few. Each occasion has further reinforced the intuitive rightness of the idea that jazz and the wines of Château Palmer do indeed share a common essence: in the freedom of harmonies, the energy of contrasts and the vitality of rhythm.

Edition Palmer, the collaboration between ACT & Château Palmer, kicked off in 2023 with a major release: DUO was an intimate musical conversation between Joachim Kühn and Michael Wollny, two of the unquestioned greats of European jazz piano. The recording received international acclaim: ‘Der Tagesspiegel’, one of Germany's most respected daily newspapers, wrote: "The duo of Michael Wollny and Joachim Kühn is an alchemical miracle. They share a spirit of improvisation that combines introspection and expression, anticipation and perspiration." The leading French publication "Jazz Magazine" praised "a deep connection of extreme sensitivity." Whereas the music for the first Edition Palmer was recorded live at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, the second release has been made at Château Palmer itself. A 'salon' in the château itself was the exclusive recording venue for a line-up of top flight, world class musicians. TRIO features the renowned bassist, cellist and composer Lars Danielsson, together with two greats of jazz from the north: Finnish trumpeter Verneri Pohjola and British guitarist John Parricelli.

The listener will savour the genius loci, the tranquillity and intimacy of the recording location. This album not only brings the original idea of the collaboration between ACT & Château Palmer to life in a palpably exciting and entirely apposite way, it has also vividly captured the magic which arises when unique artists come together in a uniquely beautiful and special setting.

Lars Danielsson, double bass & cello
Verneri Pohjola, trumpet
John Parricelli, guitar

Produced by Andreas Brandis

Lars Danielsson
Bassist, cellist, composer and arranger Lars Danielsson has become one of the most important voices in European jazz in recent years: alongside international stars such as Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker, John Scofield or Charles Lloyd, with his own quartet, as producer of Caecilie Norby, Viktoria Tolstoy or the Danish Radio Orchestra, but especially with his five ACT CDs under his own name. They also show the unmistakable signature Danielsson has found, as well as the astonishing openness and breadth of his work. He is not only one of the most lyrical and warmest bassists, as a composer he is a master of atmosphere, subtle tension and the perfect balance between simple melodies and the highest possible degree of improvisation.

Verneri Pohjola
a Finnish trumpeter and composer, is one of the most celebrated and acclaimed Jazz artists in Europe. He possesses a commanding and unique voice that showcases both warmth and vibrancy in his playing. His writing is bold and creative, with a unique ability to write immersive and powerful melodies that highlight his individuality and progressive style.

With a string of successful releases and critical acclaim, his talent has not gone unnoticed. In 2015, Jazzwise Magazine called his album, 'Bullhorn,' "one of the finest albums of recent times" and hailed him as a "fully-fledged star", shedding his 'star-in-the-making' mantle. He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize nomination in 2021, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the Nordic music scene.

In 2017, Verneri was awarded Finland's highest recognition for a jazz musician, the Yrjö Award, for his exceptional musicianship and contribution to the jazz genre. This award is a testament to Verneri's dedication to his craft and his passion for creating innovative and meaningful music.

Verneri's Bullhorn record was a critical and commercial success, earning him the Emma Award for the best jazz album of the year in 2015. This album showcases Verneri's virtuosity as a trumpeter and his ability to seamlessly blend various genres and musical influences.

Born into a musical dynasty, Verneri was destined for a career in music. His grandfather and father's cousin were both active in music, while his father, Pekka Pohjola, achieved international fame in the 1970s. Verneri first came to prominence as leader of Ilmiliekki Quartet, a band that won numerous accolades, including the prestigious Teosto Award.

Verneri's distinctive tone is deeply affecting and marked by purity and lyricism. His melodic improvisation is matched by personal compositions that avoid any clichéd notions of Nordic jazz. He is a progressive artist with a strong grasp of popular culture and one of the most exciting and original artists of his generation.

In 2020, Verneri released 'The Dead Don't Dream,' an album that showcases his individualism, creativity, and coherence. This album is a true work of art, balancing freedom and composition, expression and voice. It's a defining work for Verneri, for Finnish culture, and a statement of intent for an artist immersed in the world of European Jazz.

In 2022, Verneri Pohjola formed a new quartet with renowned musicians Kit Downes on piano, Jasper Høiby on double bass, and Olavi Louhivuori on drums. The quartet's debut album ‘MONKEY MIND’, will be released on Edition Records in November 2023, serving as a testament to Verneri's versatility as a musician and his continued growth as a jazz star.

In addition to his own album, Verneri is also working on an exciting project with renowned composer Kaija Saariaho. She is composing a trumpet concerto specifically for Verneri, which is set to premiere in 2023. This collaboration highlights Verneri's exceptional talent and his ability to push the boundaries of jazz music.

John Parricelli
began his career as a guitarist in 1982 and was one of the founding members of the British big band Loose Tubes, with whom he recorded three albums. He has worked with Annie Whitehead, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, Tim Whitehead, Chris Laurence, Eddie Parker, Peter Erskine, Vince Mendoza, Mark Lockheart, Julian Argüelles, Iain Ballamy's Acme, Mark Lockheart Quartet, Andy Sheppard, Gerard Presencer, Colin Towns, Martin Speake Quintet and Jazz singer Stacey Kent among others.

In 2011 he appeared on stage with Peter Erskine and John Paul Jones at the Royal Opera House, London in the new opera Anna Nicole.

Booklet for Trio