There’s an inquisitive quality to the pieces on Mathias Højgaard Jensen’s latest album, Is As Is. It’s as though the New York and Copenhangen-based bassist and composer is aloft, taking a birdseye view of life and circumstances and then filtering them through engaging sonic arrangements. On first listen, I was taken by its clarity in purpose and melodic warmth, but the further in I got, Is As Is put me in a contemplative mood. I highly recommend giving it a few listens. It’s out now on Fresh Sound Records.
When I decided to begin the process of writing and compiling material for this album, I was coming out of probably the most challenging year of my life, and music was a way to emotionally process, contextualize, and make sense of that time—at least, it was the way I knew best. It felt like something that was doing me good and something that got me through to the other side.
It was a time that taught me the virtues of acceptance and the relinquishing of the need for control—dealing with the way things are rather than fighting back, in true ‘Bruce Lee fashion’, letting your being fit into the shape of circumstance rather than forcing the world around you to fit into an idealized but imaginary structure.
Off-Set
“Off-Set” is an amalgam of two of my main influences, namely Andrew Hill and Thelonious Monk. The music of Monk, in particular, stands alone for me in its unfailingly original and idiosyncratic expression, and I never cease to be inspired by his compositions and playing.
Sleeping Silver
I wrote this piece on the bass, fooling around with different bass lines. When I arrived at the final version, I was attracted to its incessant forward motion and circular nature. It sort of lacks a clear beginning and end, and there is something slightly off about it, yet it feels very natural to me. I often go by feel and intuition when I compose. I find it yields more interesting and personal results, as opposed to, say, considering and deciding on a form or structure from the get-go. I love the contrast between the abstract and concrete, so I imagined the melody as this floating thing that sort of tries to escape the bass line.
Hjemstavn: Hometown
This tune was heavily inspired by Craig Taborn, in particular, his Trio album “Chants,” an all-time favorite of mine! The title came out of this sense of nostalgia I associate with this tune. The Danish word “Hjemstavn” has a similar meaning to “hometown” but has stronger connotations of belonging.
Afklaret
Means the state of mind of having come to a resolution, being settled on something or clarification.
Forbigået
Speaks to the sense that I have felt in the past of being overlooked or feeling like I’m on the outside.
Kastle
“Kastle” refers to the place I lived in Copenhagen during the latter part of the pandemic prior to returning to New York. It was an artist’s collective named the Krock Kastle and was home to 8 wonderful people who meant a lot to me, especially during what had until then been a difficult time.
Is As Is
The title track of the record. I wanted to draw attention to this track and decided to name the record after this rubato ballad.
Hill
It’s an homage to the fantastic pianist Andrew Hill, who has been a major inspiration through recent years. His writing and musical conception, his aesthetics, and musical choices speak to me on a deep level.
Post August Blues
During the summer of 2021, I participated in a summer camp for professional jazz musicians held every year in Denmark just outside of Copenhagen. At the camp, I got to spend a week making music with Bill Frisell, which was an incredible experience and helped me grow a lot musically. This blues came out of that experience on the last day of the camp as I was sitting down by a piano, improvising.
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