Thomas Clausen - Piano Music (M*A Music, 1989)

This post is by Dan

Thomas Clausen (p)

Recorded 1989

Now in his mid 70s, Thomas Clausen continues to record excellent jazz from his home base in Denmark. Drawing inspiration from the 1970s influx of American jazzmen into Copenhagen's Montmartre club, he shaped his exceptional technique into an intelligent and expressive style. 

Except for the fusion album, Mirrors (CBS, 1979), Piano Music was Clausen's first major release - a solo piano album on the German audiophile M*A label. It's superb, both artistically and sonically. Four of the 14 tracks are Clausen's originals; the rest are mostly well-known standards. His approach varies from pastoral ("I Fall in Love Too Easily") to stomping ("Nice Work if You Can Get It"). The familiar tunes in the program are all given a special rendition that does not simply mimic versions played by other pianists. 

All selections draw the listener's attention to the marvelous sound of the piano and Clausen's technical prowess. The ballads tend to be delicate; and the show tunes are given unique readings. The absence of drums and bass accompaniment frees Clausen to create his own meter, which he often suspends for dramatic effect.

Clausen also excels in trio format, sometimes augmented by guest artists such as Gary Burton. One of the best from the 1980s is The Shadow of Bill Evans, a trio album featuring Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (Baystate, 1983). His recent Back 2 Basics (Stunt, 2021) is a gem. 

Thomas Clausen's music should be more widely known and celebrated.