Release date: 17 July 2015

Alexi Tuomarila Piano

Nicolas Kummert Saxophone, Vocals

Axel Gilain Double Bass, Vocals

Teun Verbruggen Drums

Alexi Tuomarila shared the stage with some of the biggest names in jazz and his international profile was rocketing when, without warning label Warner Jazz ditched all jazz and classical acts leaving the band without any clear management or career direction.

In the following decade during which the pianist and saxophonist expanded their musical horizons with constant touring, the band’s special relationship was not forgotten and, finally, the time was right for both Tuomarila and Kummert to reform the original quartet with a new sense of purpose and energy under the new collective name of DRIFTER.

This next phase in the quartet’s history sees the band fuse the youthful energy and vibrancy of ten years ago with the experience of a decade on tour playing with some of the biggest names on the European jazz scene.

As Tuomarila explains: “The music means so much more now. Ten years ago, we were just playing tunes that we loved to play. Now the music comes from within us and somehow encapsulates the feelings of the last ten years: having our recording contract taken away, the development of our friendship as a band and the greater sense of purpose we all have in our lives. It’s so exciting for us’.

Edition Records’ recording connection with Alexi go back to the release of his acclaimed trio album. Seven Hills (2013), but as a label we’ve been fans of the quartet since they first emerged onto the European scene and have watched their separate careers with great interest in the intervening decade. So it is with great pleasure that we are able to work with the group and help restore them to their rightful place at the top of the European, and world, jazz tree.

This young band, in their 20s when they recorded O2, have been hugely influential on a generation of young jazz artists.

Originally based in Belgian, DRIFTER first came to international attention with the release of ‘Voices of Pohjola’ in 1999 on the Brussels jazz label Igloo. The release and live shows prompted both Blue Note and Warner to offer contracts for a 3-album deal. Having decided to go with Warner, the Alexi Tuomarila Quartet, as it was then called, were propelled into the elite international jazz scene, touring extensively through Europe, Australia and Japan. Following the release of O2 on Warner Brothers their whirlwind ascent ended abruptly with the decision by the company to drop their jazz and classical department.

A decade later, following the release of Alexi Tuomarila’s trio album ‘Seven Hills’ with Mats Eilertsen and Olavi Louhivuori, the band reformed at the suggestion of UK’s Edition Records under the collective named of DRIFTER. In July 2015, DRIFTER released their highly acclaimed record ‘FLOW’, an album that excites fans across the globe and finally fulfils this fantastic band’s full potential.