John Helliwell, Jasper Somsen, Hans Vroomans, Marcel Serierse - Don't Ever Leave Me [LP]

Cat. no: CRLP73553
Format: LP
Barcode: 0608917355321
Release Date: 16 Jun 2023
Genre: Jazz

In late 2019, after meeting with Challenge Records in Amersfoort to discuss my album Ever Open Door, they recommended that I should connect with Jasper Somsen

I had dinner in Amsterdam that night with him and Raimondo Meli Lupi, who had mastered my previous recordings and set-up the meetings.Jasper struck me as an enthusiastic and determined young man and, as I was subsequently to fnd out after listening to him on several recordings, an excellent and creative bass player -- now my friend and colleague.

We agreed to make an album. Jasper chose the other musicians and recording dates at MotorMusic in Belgium were arranged. Then Covid-19 struck! The recording was postponed many times during 2020 and 2021, although during this time we discussed which tunes would be appropriate, with Jasper writing rough arrangements. His selection of Marcel Seriese on drums and Hans Vroomans on piano was inspired -- they are inventive, empathetic musicians, and a pleasure to play with!

Our selection of tunes is based on strong melodies from the felds of folk, jazz, rock, pop, and originals by Jasper and me. I suggested that we play three Supertramp tunes, as a lengthy part of my musical life has been centred around the music of Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson. I frst heard Don't Ever Leave Me played by Keith Jarrett. It's such a beautiful, short and poignant melody that we decided to play four versions and have them act as "bookends" for our music. 

If you enjoy listening to this music half as much as we enjoyed playing it, our labours of love have succeeded!

LP Tracks: Don't Ever Leave Me (Quartet) / August Winds / Two Of Us / From This Place / Free Lady Butterfy / Appleton Avenue / Don't Ever Leave Me (Solo) / Don't Ever Leave Me (Trio) / You Started Laughing / Liten Visa Till Karin / Just A Normal Day / Arise / Don't Ever Leave Me (Duo)

More From This Artist: Hans Vroomans Jasper Somsen John Helliwell Marcel Serierse