Not Far From Here

2019 release. Not Far From Here introduces award-winning pianist Julia Hlsmann's new group in which her long-time working trio with Marc Muellbauer and Heinrich Kbberling (together now for 17 years) is expanded to a quartet with the addition of Berlin-based saxophonist Uli Kempendorff. In Kempendorff s playing both suppleness and unruliness are in ample supply, Jazzthetik has noted, and he brings a fresh energy to the Hlsmann group concept. Each member of the quartet brings in original compositions, with Julia herself contributing five pieces for the album. Repertoire is augmented by a timely cover of This Is Not America, David Bowies 1980s hit single (co-composed by Bowie, Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays), which appears here in a quartet version and a solo piano variation. The album was recorded at Studios La Buissonne in the South of France in March 2019.