Stefan Pasborg Trio – DEAR ALEX

Ein liebevolles Tribut an den 2024 verstorbenen Schlagzeuger Alex Riel. Als Schlagzeuger war er einzigartig – verspielt, energiegeladen und ein Generationstalent. Wie es das Schicksal wollte, wurde Riel Pasborgs Pate, und die Musik wurde zum Tor zu einem magischen Universum aus Trommeln, Becken, Gongs und einem Meer von Schlagzeugklängen, das sie gemeinsam erforschten.

Stefan Pasborg ist einer der bekanntesten und vielseitigsten Schlagzeuger Dänemarks. Mit seinem energiegeladenen Stil und seiner experimentellen Herangehensweise an das Schlagzeug hat er sich einen Namen in der Jazz-, Avantgarde- und Rockmusik gemacht und mit vielen dänischen und internationalen Künstlern gespielt und aufgenommen.

Vor ein paar Monaten fand Pasborg eine handgeschriebene Liste mit Alex‘ Lieblingsliedern in der Handschrift des inzwischen verstorbenen Schlagzeugers. Ihr Anblick berührte Stefan zutiefst und inspirierte ihn dazu, sein Trio, bestehend aus zwei weiteren dänischen Spitzenmusikern, dem Pianisten Carsten Dahl und dem Tenorsaxophonisten Fredrik Lundin, ins Studio einzuladen, um ihre Versionen einiger dieser Songs aufzunehmen. Ziel war es, die Unmittelbarkeit und Spontaneität einzufangen, die die Energie mit Alex immer auszeichnete. Das Ergebnis ist dieses Album.

On June 9, 2024, the music world lost Alex Riel, an icon in Danish music history and a vital part of the expansion of jazz music during a golden age of the genre. As a drummer, he was unique—playful, energetic, and a generational talent. He radiated an infectious joy and approached the drums, music, and the people around him with genuine enthusiasm and deep empathy. He was a pillar of Danish music and in the international jazz community.

Alex was Denmark’s first call drummer for decades and left his mark on the music in an illustrious career spanning more than 70 years with his technique, energy, and unique musicality, playing with some of the world’s greatest jazz musicians, including Bill Evans, Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Michael Brecker, Kenny Drew, NHØP – the list goes on – and moving effortlessly between rock, pop, and experimental music. His 1966 debut album, ALEX RIEL TRIO, cemented his status as a master drummer, and he continued to inspire generations of musicians throughout his life. With his infectious joy of playing and eternal curiosity, he was a living legend who left an indelible mark.

Alex Riel held a special place in the hearts of many drummers, but none more so than Stefan Pasborg (b. 1974). As fate would have it, Riel became Pasborg’s legal godfather, and music became a gateway to a magical universe of drums, cymbals, gongs, and a sea of percussion sounds they would explore together. Alex Riel was a steady and inspiring presence in Stefan’s life for 50 years—with love, joy, humor, and music.

On his debut album, Alex played an abstract, unaccompanied solo improvisation entitled In A Way. Pasborg selected five passages from that recording and wove them into his own solo improvisation, In Another Way, as a tribute to Riel. On the album, you can hear Riel play for a few seconds while Pasborg improvises around it – an idea he loves because sounds created almost 60 years ago now live on in this new album, alongside the trio’s interpretations. As an extra detail, Pasborg plays Dear Alex on the same drum kit Riel used on his debut – his legendary Gretsch kit from the 1960s.

Stefan writes in his moving liner notes that with this album, he wants to honor Alex as an unforgettable musician and friend and that “the album and its message come directly from the heart. Alex, thank you for all you were and all you gave. We will never forget you. Dear Alex – this album is from us to you.”

Stefan Pasborg (drums, percussion), Fredrik Lundin (tenor sax), Carsten Dahl (piano).

DANNY BOY / SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW / SMILE / IDAHO / IN ANOTHER WAY / DEN MILDE DAG ER LYS OG LANG / MOON RIVER / MOPPIN’ AND BOPPIN’ / DEN BLÅ ANEMONE / WHEN YOU WICH UPON A STAR.

LP: STULP 25111 / CD: STUCD 25112 Stefan Pasborg Trio with Fredrik Lunding & Carsten Dahl, DEAR ALEX, Stunt Records, Sundance Music ApS, 2025.