Ted Olsen’s Violette Arrives June 6, 2025 on Shifting Paradigm Records

A sweeping fusion of jazz, chamber music, and art song from the acclaimed Minneapolis-based bassist and composer

Shifting Paradigm Records proudly announces the release of Violette, the bold and expressive new album from bassist, composer, and songwriter Ted Olsen, available June 6, 2025 on vinyl, CD, digital download, and streaming platforms.

A genre-defying statement, Violette is at once intimate and cinematic, blending jazz improvisation, classical textures, and lyrical songwriting. Featuring the Violette Ensemble—a handpicked group of renowned improvisers and classical soloists, including members of the Minnesota Orchestra—the album showcases Olsen’s most expansive and emotionally resonant work to date.

Originally formed in 2021 and catalyzed by Olsen’s McKnight Composer Fellowship, the Violette Ensemble brings to life a musical vision rooted in themes of twilight, transformation, and autumnal beauty—threads running through Olsen’s earlier compositions such as October Hues and Crepuscular Sketches.

Among the standout performances is the centerpiece track “Dusk, WSQ,” a richly orchestrated, New York-evoking meditation featuring vocalist Aby Wolf, pianist Will Kjeer, and a lush string section led by violinists Sarah Grimes and Ernest Bisong. Olsen’s chamber-style writing soars here, capturing a moment of serene reflection at the edge of day.

Other highlights include:

• “To Acquiesce,” elevated by John Raymond’s radiant flugelhorn solo.

• “Present Tense,” where Olsen’s melodic bass improvisation intertwines with the ensemble’s strings.

• “Split Rock Postcard” and “Aubade (Violet),” vivid art songs blending structure and spontaneity.

• “Bright Star,” featuring Eric Mayson in a powerful, minimalist trio setting.

The vinyl edition distills the album into a potent five-track arc, while the digital and CD formats expand the narrative with exclusive pieces like the introspective “Intermezzo (Bloom)” and the climactic “Étude (Kaleidoscopic).”

Since receiving his McKnight Fellowship in 2020, Ted Olsen has composed over 60 original works and released two prior albums. His debut Joyfire was hailed as “sprawling yet cohesive” (Minneapolis Star Tribune), while his 2020 EP It’s Easy to Pretend highlighted his ongoing evolution as a composer. He’s also a past recipient of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award and a finalist in the International Society of Bassists’ Jazz Bass Competition.

Performing regularly alongside luminaries like Michael Cain, Dayna Stephens, and Javier Santiago, Olsen brings a rare clarity and richness to every musical setting. Violette represents the pinnacle of his compositional craft—a deeply personal, genre-crossing album that challenges, comforts, and captivates.

Track Listing (CD & Digital Edition)

1. To Acquiesce (6:45)

2. Split Rock Postcard (5:32)

3. Dusk, WSQ (5:25)

4. Present Tense (9:07)

5. Intermezzo (Bloom) (3:07)*

6. Bright Star (5:39)*

7. Étude (Kaleidoscopic) (3:01)*

8. Aubade (Violet) (12:27)
   * CD only