Jazz: Tom Ollendorff Trio – Open House.

Following in the footsteps of players such as Ant Law, Tom Ollendorff is one of the most rapidly rising contemporary guitarists of the UK jazz scene, and is touring to promote new recording Open House.

Known for his distinctive sound which blends virtuosic guitar playing with sophisticated harmonic and melodic ideas, Ollendorff’s music elegantly mixes gracefully grooving themes, baroque-like unaccompanied etudes and headlong fast-bop swing. Retaining his longstanding musical partnership with Marc Michel on drums and Conor Chaplain on bass [on the CD], Ollendorff now adds New York City saxophonist Ben Wendel into the mix. The combination of a razor-sharp band that has worked with each other for many years, alongside an exciting new player with a natural synergy to the aforementioned group, makes Open House an exhilarating listen for jazz aficionados and discerning music fans alike. Tom Ollendorff’s first album ‘A Song For You’ received a plethora of accolades, with The Guardian newspaper describing it as ‘traditional but very classy’ and both BBC Music Magazine and Jazz Journal awarding it 4-star reviews. While this inspiring debut undoubtedly placed the up and coming guitarist firmly on the map, Open House clearly demonstrates an evolvement and progression within Tom Ollendorff’s art. The new album retains both the ethereal spirit and distinctive style that can be found in his previous work but also adds an edge of confidence and maturity to the aural experience – new elements destined to excite listeners, that will ultimately push Ollendorff’s career to the next level.

Tom Ollendorff has also worked alongside internationally respected musicians such as Geoff Simkins, Bill McHenry, Jeff Williams, Nitai Hershkovits and Ari Hoenig, while leading jazz guitarist Gilad Hekselman has described him as “one of the world’s finest guitarists”, also saying that “his music is complex, yet rooted in melody and feeling.”

Tom Ollendorff – guitar, Will Sach – bass, Marc Michel – drums