Time is blind guide

The Brief

Time Is A Blind Guide is a rare kind of alchemy. With a line-up of violin, cello, double bass, and piano, the ensemble is technically just one viola short of a classical string quintet. The difference, of course, is Thomas Strønen—whose delicate drumming and warm cymbal work color the music and gently pull it across the border into jazz. Håkon Aase leads the group further into a landscape inspired by folk traditions and the droning textures of the Hardanger fiddle, while Ayumi Tanaka leans toward contemporary classical music. The newest voice, Leo Svensson Sander on cello, blends his characteristic warmth into the breathing ensemble, while Ole Morten Vågan’s bass grounds and drives the music, giving it a solid foundation. It’s no surprise that Time Is A Blind Guide has become a favorite within the more recent part of the ECM catalogue. On their third album, Off Stillness, released late last year, the group’s collective pulse is once again at the forefront—each instrument moving dynamically in and out of the soundscape, shaping beautiful melodies propelled by Strønen’s flowing rhythms. Line-up: Ayumi Tanaka – piano; Håkon Aase – violin; Leo Svensson Sander – cello; Ole Morten Vågan – bass; Thomas Strønen – drums Good to know: * Doors open at 19:00 * Age limit: 18+