Old Dreams by Paragon

Press Text from 2017:
Paragon is the prize-winning quartet formed by saxophonist Peter Ehwald and pianist Arthur Lea. Together with bassist Matthias Nowak and drummer Jon Scott these four musicians have built a reputation as being one of the most musically sensitive and intuitive ensembles on the European jazz scene.

Each musician brings a wealth of knowledge from playing internationally with other projects but it is their collective experience of intensive touring and recording together that has enabled them to develop a mutual trust and understanding that is sought after and coveted by many other ensembles.

Paragon is co-led by the virtuosic German saxophonist Peter Ehwald and London born pianist Arthur Lea. Both musicians share the composing responsibilities for the group making this band a true collaboration and fusion of ideas and sounds. These two musicians have an incredible pedigree. The Guardian's John Fordham has described Lea as "a 21st century Thelonious Monk" while Ehwald continues to thrill the European jazz circuit in a variety of ensembles, both as a leader and as a sideman. He has recently completed a tour of South America with his German band Double Trouble.

Paragon's fourth Album 'Old Dreams' is an instinctive testimonial of what European jazz can be: open, keen to experiment, melodic and powerful in sound. A decade on the road with annual tours, Paragon were early recognised by audiences - who awarded them the Prix de Publique at Avignon Jazz Festival in 2006, and critics who short-listed them for the 2012 Neuer Deutsche Jazzpreis.

Berlin based saxophonist Peter Ehwald writes and performs music, along the tangency of Jazz and contemporary music. With his approach to rhythm rooted in the Jazz tradition, he uses unusual instrumentations and modern concepts of harmony to project the “here and now” in his energetic and yet elegiac improvisations.

peter-ehwald.net
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