Julian Wasserfuhr & Roman Wasserfuhr: Safe Place

"'Safe Place' was originally just one song, but Roman and I soon realized that it should be the title of the whole album. That's because it describes the feeling and intention behind the music so well," says trumpeter Julian Wasserfuhr. The album "Safe Place" is a collection of music that makes you feel completely at home. "Home" here doesn't so much mean a specific place, but rather an idea of familiarity, warmth, self-reflection. And the album, which also marks the 20th anniversary of the ACT label for brothers Julian and Roman Wasserfuhr, offers an opportunity to reflect on the essentials: clear melodies, atmospheric musical images painted in warm colors and an interplay that is not only of remarkable precision, but also of indescribable lightness. For the Wasserfuhr brothers, the term "home" also stands for the bond with people who are important to them. First and foremost, of course, is their own relationship, which is inseparable in both life and music. But there are also firm musical friendships such as the one with cellist Jörg Brinkmann, with whom they recorded their last album "Relaxin' in Ireland". Brinkmann immediately clicked with the "smallest form of a band", as Julian and Roman call their duo. It was the beginning of a long collaboration, and their shared experiences, such as a tour of Central America, brought them even closer together. So it was only natural to add the rich colors of the cello to expand the possibilities of their shared sound palette. In addition to cellist Jörg Brinkmann, the trio features another guest for two pieces: saxophonist Paul Heller. paul simply has a fascinating way of playing," says Roman. "Working with him was actually an experiment at first, as our music is more chamber music-like and he tends to play in larger ensembles. But especially in combination with Jörg it was something wonderful. "Even if 'Safe Place' is meant to be understood as an abstract idea, this music is of course not immune to the events that have moved the world in recent years. of course that plays a role," says Julian Wasserfuhr. the way people interact and communicate with each other has always been very important to us in the past. But the current times in particular, with their conflicts and contradictions, make us think - about the world, but also about ourselves. And so "Safe Place" has become a very personal and emotional album. It seems as if the great tragedies and triumphs of the world are reflected for Julian and Roman Wasserfuhr in the small and intimate: "in the gentle, warm breeze 'Vent Chaud', with which the record begins, in the dreamlike dodo", based on the French "Faire Dodo" (go to sleep). 'Lucifer' describes Julian's concern for his ailing cat, while 'El Caballo Valiente' tells of the will to live and courage to face life of a fallen horse that has remained close to the novel. "Solitude", on the other hand, depicts the isolation and loneliness of the coronavirus pandemic. Roman says of the only cover on the album, Sting's "Fields of Gold": "We've covered Sting's music before. 'Fields of Gold' is a wonderful song that describes a place so beautiful that it's a 'safe place' for us too." The last two tracks on the album, "Safe Place" and "Perfect Tiny Moment", once again reflect the essence of the album: "'Safe Place' was originally written on guitar, even though I can't play guitar at all," says Julian. "I went to Roman with this initial idea and he then developed it further." The two then played the song with the WDR Big Band last year and then tried it out with Jörg Brinkmann in a smaller line-up. 'To this day, it's the song from the record that we prefer to play on stage. In other words: "It's the absolute 'safe place' for all three of us" The minimalist 'Perfect Tiny Moment' also expresses exactly that: the one little moment when everything seems to be perfect, when everything is just right - and feels absolutely right."