I spent the last few weeks practising a fantastic solo by Joel Ross on the new Blue Note album ‘Motion I - Out Of / Into’. I always find it particularly challenging to play solos that are not on your own instrument. That often presents you with particular technical difficulties. The time and flow with which Joel improvises here is absolutely terrific! Next step: In the upper octave.
New book: Micro-Studies #003 - Modern Sound Studies for Saxophone
Unlock your full potential as a saxophonist with Micro-Studies #003, designed to enhance your control, tone, and musical creativity. This micro-study offers a systematic approach to mastering wide intervals, triads, seventh chords, and pentatonic scales, all centered around a fixed pedal tone. Through carefully crafted exercises, you’ll develop a balanced, resonant sound, improve intonation, and refine your technique, all while embracing personal expression and creative exploration.
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional player, this study will help you push the boundaries of your musicality and gain new technical flexibility. With practical guidelines, detailed variations, and space for your own ideas, Micro-Studies #003 is an essential resource for saxophonists seeking a deeper connection to their instrument and a more distinctive sound.
Available in German and English as a pdf book via melaxmusic.eu
SJO\CGN feat. Chris Lightcap (USA)
For the last concert of the Subway Jazz Orchestra 2024, we have invited the fantastic American bassist Chris Lightcap. I've been a big fan of his band ‘Bigmouth’ for years and will be arranging the music for big band. The concert will take place on 20 November 2024 at Club Subway in Cologne.
Two days later, I will also be playing a quartet concert with Chirs Lightcap and my colleagues Felix Hauptmann (p) and Fabian Arends (dr) at LOFT in Cologne. This will also be recorded and will probably be released as an album in 2025.
New MICRO-STUDY available!
After over two years of diligent and continuous work, I'm pleased to finally announce the release of a new Micro-Study: Micro-Studies #002 - Getting Inspired by Warne Marsh.
This release is about analysing in detail a solo transcription by Warne Marsh on the composition Loco 47, an incredible solo that is bursting with creative ideas. It offers a treasure trove of exercises and improvisation concepts, which I have tried to compile on well over 100 pages. The book can now be purchased digitally in German or English from the MELAX MUSIC website.
New Duo Album feat. Hilmar Jensson
Lars and I released a new album! Following our debut "Hringferð", which was produced in cooperation with Deutschlandfunk Cologne, we travelled to Iceland in February 2023 to record BLÍÐUR. Exceptional guitarist Hilmar Jensson, who lives in Reykjavík, joined us for this date and added a whole new universe to the music.
Recorded in the famous studio of the band "Sígur Rós" in Mosfellsbær, a completely new, exciting sound cosmos has been created. 13 works composed especially for this occasion reflect the unique atmosphere of the Icelandic winter and thus take an intimate look at the perfectly interwoven and virtuoso playing of the protagonists.
Subway Jazz Orchestra goes Philharmonic!
Subway goes Philharmonic! To mark the tenth anniversary of our innovative Cologne ensemble, the Subway Jazz Orchestra is moving from the narrow walls of the club that gave us our name to the vastness of the concert hall. We’ll feature accordion virtuoso Vincent Peirani. Jens Böckamp and I arranged all the music for this special evening.
HfMDK Frankfurt
I’m very excited to announce that from October 2023 on I’ll be joining the Masters Program at the University of Arts in Frankfurt as a Professor for Jazzcomposition, -arrangement and Ensemble. The program is a joint project by the University and the Frankfurt Radio Bigband (hr). Really looking forward to all the new tasks and great music.
HRINGFERÐ | sheet music
Now available on Melax Music: All sheet music for the duo album Hringferð. Leadsheets for C-, Bb- and Eb-Instruments as pdf book. More info HERE.
Single releases | YOU ARE THE UNIVERSE
2 singles of my upcoming Bigband album with the Subway Jazz Orchestra have already been released on all streaming platforms. The compositional process as well as the whole production of the music has been an intense journey that took two years. I’m very happy with the outcome and hope the listeners can find beauty and inspiring moments in the manifold details of this piece. Album release will be June 16th.
University of Arts Mannheim | Antrittskonzert
Next monday I’ll play in Mannheim with Lars Duppler in order to celebrate my new job at the University of Arts. I started in October 2020 already, but now finally it was possible to organize a concert without any restrictions and compromises. Really looking forward to this one.
Copyright: Marino Thorlacius