Sven-Ake Johansson has referred to the book of compositions used for his Stumps project as the magnum opus of his small group writing. The top-notch quintet he assembled for the project includes some of his most trusted collaborators in trumpeter Axel Dörner and double bassist Joel Grip, complemented by the involvement of two younger but equally compelling French improvisers, pianist Simon Sieger and alto saxophonist Pierre Borel. A set of recordings made at the Berlin club Au Topsi Pohl were released in 2022 as a digital download, but Trost is thrilled to present Stumps (second version), the most recent readings of the material, recorded at a celebrated performance at Jazzfest Berlin in 2022.

The compositions are schematic marvels, each one containing simple but effective variations to a single staccato form. Each “Stump” alters the rhythm and melodic shape of the basic formula, functioning as an effective launchpad for sublime improvisation, with Johansson’s trademark ride cymbal pulse and stuttering snare presiding over each variant. Each piece is bookended by his pithy themes before opening up for a series of probing solo excursions from the ensemble, pushed along by the drummer and bassist.