Orlando

Belgian saxophonist Toine Thys is one of the pillars of Belgian jazz (Octave de la Musique for best jazz album). Very active as a bandleader, sideman, and teacher worldwide, he presents his latest album, Betterlands, accompanied by Maxime Sanchez on piano, Florent Nisse on double bass, and Teun Verbruggen on drums.

Betterlands is a concept album in which the artists imagine a better world:

"Betterlands: There are many ways to make our world better. Reviewing our priorities, reinventing our societies: we have a profound need for a more just world, where education—accessible to all—is of the highest quality, and where individuals show solidarity in suffering. This should be a world where consideration for others is of the utmost importance. A positive contribution to our environment, education, mutual understanding, and cooperation would then become the cornerstones of this more just, ideal city."   

Orlando focuses on interplay. Instead of cascades of notes and fireworks, we explore sound and space here. Some songs are serious and solemn, while others are imbued with joy and hope. Toine Thys also uses electronics to sample, overdub, and edit his saxophone on different tracks, a way of opening up the music to larger spaces.