Norwegian drummer\/composer Thomas Str\u00f8nen presents a new lineup of his acoustic collective Time Is A Blind Guide with a new pianist in Wakayama-born Ayumi Tanaka. Tanaka has spoken of seeking associative connections between Japan and Norway in his improvisation, a tendency that Str\u00f8nen seems to encourage with his spatially conscious writing for the ensemble.<\/p>\n
The new sound seamlessly slips into the ensemble\u2019s breathing rhythm, with a spare but very precise Ayumi Tanaka empathetically navigating her way across the keyboard, responsive to Str\u00f8nen\u2019s percussion, Ole Morten V\u00e5gan\u2019s supple double bass work, and H\u00e5kon Aase\u2019s lyrical violin interpretations. At times, the group\u2019s three string instruments form a solid trio unit that engages in intimate dialogue with the piano and percussion, but most of the time the group\u2019s pulse works as a whole, with each instrument dynamically sliding in and out of the music\u2019s soundscape.<\/p>\n
Thomas Str\u00f8nen has recorded for ECM since 2005 when the label released his album Parish, with Bobo Stenson, Fredrik Ljungkvist and Mats Eilertsen. Since then, around ten albums have been released, the latest on December 5, 2025.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ayumi Tanaka<\/strong> \u2013 piano
\nH\u00e5kon Aase <\/strong>\u2013 violin\/ percussion
\nLeo Svensson Sander<\/strong> \u2013 cello
\nOle Morten V\u00e5gan<\/strong> \u2013 bass
\nThomas Str\u00f8nen<\/strong> \u2013 drums\/ compositions<\/p>\n