Christoph Irniger’s Quintet PILGRIM with HUMAN INTELLIGENCE LIVE (Intakt)

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The quintet Pilgrim, founded by Zurich-based tenor saxophonist Christoph Irniger, has become one of the most exciting ensembles in young European Jazz over the years and will present their sixth album Human Intelligence Live on Intakt Records in March 2025. In their gorgeously considered, but luxuriantly open music the quintet uses ambiguity as a tool. Some compositions are freely improvised, while others are completely notated, yet most lie in between, with an elasticity that reflects a life of freedom, where informed choices are made spontaneously. The accompanying soundtrack oscillates between enigmatic reflection and wild eruptions, although the band creates a dense, all-round sound which is hard to categorize.

The music on this album defies all things artificial. Human Intelligence is a complete live concert performed by Christoph Irniger's Pilgrim at Red Horn District in Bad Meinberg, Germany, in November 2023. The set is captured from beginning to end, with no changes in the running order of the songs and just a few minor edits made to the final audio.

Irniger says in the liner notes: "It is definitively an album for a listener who is able and likes to take his time to dive into the music, " says Irniger. "I think the power of this live album lies in the fact, that the listener can hear how things evolve, how composition melts into improvisation (and vice versa), how the music processes through different stages of emotions. Since the set list was built on the spot, you even notice sometimes musicians deciding differently, going different ways and finding each other again. There are doubts and questions, leading into resolution and common energy. The path is not always straight and needs rethinking or reflection sometimes, but because of the trust, common idea and subordination of the ego of everyone, the music can develop always. It's like living together in society, or what I'd wish for it to be." And Kevin LeGendre adds: "The quintet is as cohesive as it is imaginative, as much a triumph of advanced ensemble chemistry as it is the precision of each player."

The five members of the group, which was formed in 2010, come from different parts of Switzerland. They also play in various other groups, throughout the world and their work as leader, sideman or composer is documented on various records.

TRACKS
1. Hendrix (Christoph Irniger) 5:31
2. Calling the Spirits (Christoph Irniger) 14:27
3. Secret Level (Christoph Irniger) 3:38
4. Human Intelligence (Interlude) (Christoph Irniger) 2:18
5. Seven Down Eight Up (Christoph Irniger) 13:06
6. The Kraken (Christoph Irniger) 1:48
7. Human Intelligence (Christoph Irniger) 6:14
8. Emergency Exit (Christoph Irniger) 12:25
9. Back In the Game (Christoph Irniger) 5:23

Total: 64:04

All compositions by Christoph Irniger.
Live recorded on November 29, 2023, at Red Horn District, Bad Meinberg, Germany by Christopher Opelt.
Mixed in September 2024 in Berne by Christoph Utzinger.
Mastered in November 2024 in Zug by Alex Huber.
Cover art: Jamie Breiwick, Graphic design: Paul Bieri, Liner notes: Kevin Le Gendre,
Photos: Markus Ecker.
Produced by Christoph Irniger and Intakt Records.

PERSONNEL
Christoph Irniger - Tenor Sax
Stefan Aeby - Piano
Dave Gisler - Guitar
Raffaele Bossard - Bass
Michael Stulz - Drums

CD AND DIGITAL FORMATS AVAILABLE ON MARCH 21, 2025.
INTAKT - WWW.INTAKTREC.CH

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