Description

In my lifelong practice as an improviser, the duo has always had a special place. In later years I have favored it more and more, due to its clarity and the razor-sharp interaction it makes possible, already clearly documented on my recordings with Maja Ratkje on the Kontrans label.

At the moment I am part of three regular duos, and on this album a recent recording of each can be heard.
The duo with Terrie Ex has by far the longest standing: we have been playing together in this format since 2003, after some other collaborations, notably in the 20-piece Ex Orkest (2000-2002).
With Jasper Stadhouders I played in various improvising combinations before he became a member of my band “Jaap Blonk’s Retirement Overdue” in 2018, but only in 2023 we started playing together as a duo.
The duo with Birgit Ulher is the most recent: the recording on this album is from our very first concert. This experience made us want to play together more. We have scheduled several concerts in Europe in 2025.

— Jaap Blonk, December 2024