Rolf Thofte's 'Martha's Dance' is a jazz album blending playful grooves, shifting meters, and emotion--reflecting fatherhood and everyday beauty.
Trailblazing outlet for forward-thinking Danish Jazz, April Records proudly presents the
debut from trumpeter/composer Rolf Thofte; a vivid and personal record that blends lyrical
melodies, inventive rhythms, and subtle harmonic exploration. Written while Thofte adjusted
to fatherhood - the album captures moments of joy, reflection, and experimentation, brought
to life by a handpicked quintet of Denmark's most exciting young jazz talents.
The title track is a tribute to Thofte's three-year-old daughter - a playful, clapping, goat-hoof
-stomping tune in quirky 5/4 that channels the spirit of childhood joy and spontaneity. "It's
just a fun tune to play, and I feel like it really captures Martha's spirit," says Thofte. "This
band came together at a time when I was trying to get a foothold in a new life situation as a
father, so it felt perfect to make this the title track."
The album moves between moods and textures with elegance: from the rich harmonic
language of "Vice Versa" - inspired by Wayne Shorter's ability to cast simple melodies in
shifting harmonic light - to the understated power of "Changing Tides," a piece about
imperceptible gradual changes in our lives, nature, and politics. "Bendico," written in 15
minutes as a conservatory assignment, showcases Thofte's gift for strong melodic
statements, while "Dunkelflaute" evokes melancholic Nordic greyness through sparse,
emotive phrasing. From the swaggering second-line feel of "The Big 5" to the hypnotic pulse of "All...", the album explores rhythm as both a driving force and a canvas for creative interplay.
Martha's Dance is a confident, cohesive debut - rooted in tradition yet full of forward-
thinking ideas. With his nuanced writing and expressive playing, Rolf Thofte announces
himself as a compelling new voice on the European jazz landscape.
Track Listing
The Big 5 Changing Tides All... Bendico Vice Versa Martha's Dance Dunkelflaute
