Two in Wonderland

His third collaboration with US pianist Marc Copland is also his most mature, bassist Daniel Schläppi says in the documentation for their joint CD Alice's Wonderland know. And duo partner Copland is also full of praise: "Playing with Daniel reminds me of the things I love most about playing jazz: the warmth, the communication and the attempt to share an experience with the listener."

The present work is not least intended to document how the music of the two has developed. Marc Copland (*1948), who has also performed on stage with jazz luminaries such as John Abercrombie and Ralph Towner, once again proves himself to be a master of the chordal and knows how to elicit an ethereal fluid from his piano with a fine touch. Meanwhile, his partner, Daniel Schläppi, 20 years his junior, stands out as a curious bassist with a penchant for groovy sounds. - He also runs a label and is an associated researcher at the Historical Institute of the University of Bern.

The 49-minute, nine-song encounter between the duo on Alice's Wonderland begins with a cover of Cole Porter's Everything I Love. The version by Schläppi and Copland is well-tempered, draws on a broad palette of timbres and is full of emotional power. Although the piece turns out to be stylistically trend-setting for the rest of the album, the two musicians always manage to surprise with their intimate, light playing, improvisation and superb timing. This is also the case on Blue In Greenwhich originates from the Miles Davis songbook. Conclusion: The elegant collaboration between Schläppi & Copland knows how to inspire - from A to Z.