Together, Tunesian ud player and singer Dhafer Youssef, Norwegian adventurous guitarist Eivind Aarset and Italian lyrical trumpet player Paolo Fresu do form an exceptional trio. It is safe to dub this a high-quality North-African/European exchange. Eivind Aarset is a permanent member of Nils Petter Molvaer's band, but also enjoys a flourishing solo career, as exemplified by the successful show he gave on his own at last year's edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival. Since the release of Electronique Noir, his first album as a leader, he is seen as one of the most exciting, individual and creative individuals in the Norwegian jazz scene. Dhafer Youssef's music has its roots in the Sufi tradition and in other mystical music, but he has always been receptive to jazz. His compositions have Arab influences and his poetic approach to the ud, an Arabian lute, is singular. Paolo Fresu performed at last year's festival with the PAF trio. Their almost telepathic way of playing together was a delight to see and hear. This brilliant new school musician from Sardinia manages to bring about a beautiful ambiance with soundscapes that evoke a fifties Miles Davis at times.
