"13 Kuukautta - Stücke für Posaune & Gitarre" is an adventurous CD collaboration between trombonist Conny Bauer and guitarist Kalle Kalima, released by the label TYXart. The album presents characterful, often exploratory pieces that span from delicate, chamber-like dialogues to powerful free-jazz eruptions and atmospheric soundscapes. Each track revolves around the intimate yet surprisingly expansive sound world created by just trombone and guitar: lyrical melodies are deconstructed, rhythmic fragments are exchanged and transformed, and moments of silence become an integral part of the musical flow. The title "13 Kuukautta" ("13 months") suggests a cycle that goes beyond the conventional yearly rhythm, and the music reflects this idea with unexpected turns, irregular structures and a narrative feeling that is more poetic than programmatic. TYXart's recording captures the nuances of breath, slide, strings and overtones with a transparent, audiophile production that lets the listener sit almost "inside" the duo's interplay.
Conny Bauer is one of the most distinctive voices in European jazz and improvised music, known especially for his solo trombone performances and his work in influential ensembles of the East German jazz scene. His playing combines a warm, flexible tone with a wealth of extended techniques, circular breathing and multiphonics, allowing him to move seamlessly from melodic lyricism to abstract textures. Finnish-born guitarist Kalle Kalima has made a name for himself with a highly individual approach that bridges jazz, contemporary music and experimental rock; he is appreciated for his imaginative use of harmony, prepared sounds and subtle electronics, as well as for his numerous collaborations across the European jazz landscape. Together, Bauer and Kalima create a dialogue where experience and curiosity meet: the trombone often assumes both melodic and percussive roles, while the guitar alternates between harmonic foundation, fragmented commentary and independent counter-voice. The result is a duo album that rewards attentive listening and will appeal to fans of modern jazz, free improvisation and genre-bending chamber music.
TYXart is a German label that has specialized in high-quality recordings from the fields of classical, contemporary and jazz-related music. With a focus on carefully curated projects and close collaboration with the artists, TYXart places great value on artistic integrity, detailed sound and attractive presentation. Many releases from the label showcase musicians who work at the borders between composition and improvisation, and "13 Kuukautta - Stücke für Posaune & Gitarre" fits perfectly into this profile. Listeners who appreciate intimate, dynamically rich recordings will find in this CD not only an impressive artistic statement by Bauer and Kalima, but also a fine example of TYXart's production philosophy.