Dave Douglas New Quintet

When Dave Douglas discovered the 15 biblical psalms of the “Song Of Ascents” for himself, the New York trumpeter and composer was immediately fascinated by the spiritual depth of this pilgrimage songbook. The fact that there are a total of 16 pieces of Doulgas’ psalm settings has to do with the fact that he began writing without, however, having even read the psalms in their entirety. And he noticed this after the first piece was finished. While composing, he then also realised that he wanted to play his “Song Of Ascents” with a new quintet – with him and saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, pianist Marta Warelis, bassist Nick Dunston and his old buddy on drums, Joey Baron. While in previous bands of the trumpeter not only but often also his fellow musicians were in the spotlight, this time it is different: The four band members collectively frame Douglas with their instruments with his radiant, crystalline trumpet playing and embed it in a spiritual, almost sacred environment to express confidence, trust and devotion with their intuitive interplay.