The music on Mountain to Sea was conceived as a lyrical and meditative response to turbulent and divisive times.

The album combines jazz, classical, African and French influences – music that has long fascinated Chris and the various band members. There are minimalist and trance elements in bassist Lloyd Swanton’s work with the Necks, and saxophonist Sandy Evans has long explored Indian music in her various music projects. Rising star saxophonist Tessie Overmyer is a powerful new voice in jazz and improvisation.

Playing without drums adds more rhythmic roles to the individual playing, with everybody enjoying the extra space. The group has found some innovative ways to exploit the various possibilities of piano, saxophone and bass using extended techniques. They combine Chris’s compositions with free group and solo improvisations to ta