tonunaissoo

The pianist and composer Tõnu Naissoo is one of the living legends of Estonian jazz. Throughout his impressive musical journey of 55 years, his preferred format has been the piano trio. With this lineup, he recorded his debut album, Tõnu Naissoo Trio (1968), now a favourite among collectors. In 1980, the trio recorded his next LP, its title Turning Point referring to an altered cast as well as new ventures in music. With one exception (Ornette Coleman’s Lonely Woman), the pieces on the album are Naissoo’s own compositions from 1977–1980, ranging from intimate ballads to post-bop characterised by intense rhythmics and intertwined ensemble play. Fresh colour is added by the Rhodes electric piano enriching and modernising the sound, and by experiments with the lineup.