The daughter of an opera director, Erdenebaatar was brought up surrounded by music - particularly classical. Accordingly, she studied classical piano and classical composition at the Music University of Ulaanbaatar before coming into contact with jazz through a program at the Goethe Institute. This “jazz lab” under the direction of Martin Zenker turned out to be a pivotal moment for the budding pianist-composer. "It was then that a whole new world opened up to me," she says. "Suddenly I had the freedom to play what I heard in my heart, not just what was written in the notes. With her bachelors degree in hand at only 20 years old, she yearned to explore the world of jazz, and eventually came to study at the conservatory in Munich. Mentored by Gregor Hübner, Christian Elsässer, Tizian Jost and Andreas Kissenbeck among others, Erdenebaatar earned two masters degrees (in Peformance and Composition), and most importantly was able to find and cultivate her own jazz voice.
That voice is undeniably present on Rising Sun. Whether on the lilting, lyrical opener “In A Time Warp” , the rhythmically challenging burner "Ups And Downs", the melancholic-dramatic solo piece "Summer Haze" or the climactic, nostalgia-fueled "Olden Days", Erdenebaatar’s singular approach stands front and center. The rest of Rising Sun includes the dramaturgically ingenious “An Answer From A Distant Hill” (carried by a beguiling flute melody); the powerful, blues-soaked title track, which takes cues from a Mongolian folk song; the touching ballad “Saudade;” and the surprising love song “I’m Glad I Got To Know You”, on which the rising pianist and her quartet really step on the gas.
Erdenebaatar’s classical foundation is unmistakable throughout, displayed by her technical brilliance, stylistic finesse, and thematic structure of her compositions. Enriched by expressive harmonies and rhythm variability, Erdenebaatar’s memorable melodies serve as a framework for her formidable band to stretch out. The quartet consists of a German cadre of fellow players from her university cohort, all now award-winning rising stars and bandleaders in their own right. Bassist Nils Kugelmann, whom Southern Germany’s leading daily paper The Süddeutsche Zeitung named “one of the best in his field”, is a rhythmically and melodically outstanding all-rounder, who also shines with moving arco work on Erdenebaatar’s “Saudade”. Drummer Valentin Renner is one of Germany’s busiest jazz drummers, currently the backbone of several notable jazz ensembles in the country. Finally, the creative and highly virtuosic Anton Mangold rounds out the ensemble on saxophones and flutes. The quartet’s charismatic interplay is a highlight of the album . "It helped me a lot to know everyone well. I already had in mind who was playing each part when I was composing,” Erdenebaatar shares.
The quartet recorded Rising Sun soon after taking part in “Jazz Summer Week” at Munich’s Jazzclub Unterfahrt. During this week, the quartet had the opportunity to work out the program in front of an audience for five nights straight. Thus, unlike most of today’s youthful productions, the album was not created before, but rather following the live experience of the material, a difference that lends a powerful soulful connectivity to their already distinctive sound.
Rising Sun is a startlingly mature debut from a remarkable new talent. Shuteen Erdenebaatar’s signing to Motéma Music comes during their year-long, 20th anniversary celebration. "We have a small staff these days, and only put out a few albums a year, so, frankly, it's very rare that I have time to listen to unsolicited projects, but somehow Shuteen's email caught my eye. That she was Mongolian intrigued me and her beautiful smile led me to listen. Moved by what I heard, and seeing her many accomplishments, I recognized a contemporary jazz master on the rise.” Motéma is honored to introduce this debut, and also to work with Shuteen towards releases for her "Lightville" duo, and Chamber Jazz Orchestra albums which are in development,” shares Motéma founder and president Jana Herzen.
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