Epoxy Quartet (Option)

Epoxy Quartet is a project led by Dutch pianist and composer Koen Gijsman. In their music, the ensemble investigates the overlap between free improvisation and contemporary composition. While their dynamic and interplay are reminiscent of Dutch free improv groups such as the ICP Orchestra, the ensemble’s lyrical and narrative sound is inspired by contemporary artists such as Little North, Melismetiq, Oded Tzur, and Trygve Seim. Epoxy Quartet provides space to four up and coming jazz performers – Koen Gijsman, Kasper Rietkerk, Tuomas Ruokonen, and Kim Jäger – who are all experienced improvisers and composers in their own right. Together they fuse to a powerful unity – just like the chemicals that produce epoxy.
The name, Epoxy Quartet, refers to Koen Gijsman’s grandfather Joop Gijsman who spent a large part of his life pioneering the production and development of epoxy in the Netherlands. This debut release is dedicated to him. “It means a lot to me that my grandfather was able to listen to this record in the final days of his life.” – Koen Gijsman.
For the album artwork, Conor Hunter used a Hasselblad CM-500 to photograph the Oosterscheldekering, the largest storm surge barrier of the Dutch Delta Works, that was constructed with epoxy from his grandfather’s factory.