14th March 2025: Tony Tixier ‘Poems Never End’ – Pre Order available today + Release Party at Sunsetsunside Paris
We’re delighted to announce Tony Tixier’s new album
Poems Never End – pre-order today in CD / DL / 180 gram, white (or coloured) inner sleeves, limited edition with gatefold artwork
Worldwide Release Date – May 30th
Album Release Party – May 30 at Sunsetsunside Paris
ABOUT THE ALBUM
For Tony Tixier everything is connected. Poetry for him is the link between dreams, thoughts and the lived reality where we spend our everyday lives. As an artist Tony feels fortunate to be able to live a life in the constant pursuit of his creativity: from the poems he wrote as a child to his current life as an internationally touring pianist, his artistic creativity has shaped who he is, just as his identity has shaped his creativity, so that he firmly believes that the art and the artist are indivisible. His latest album Poems Never End is a complete, honest expression of Tony’s current status as an artist and as a human being, captured in a single afternoon during a whirlwind visit to New York City. Whether in thrilling trio interaction with long-term associate Joe Martin on bass and dazzling young drummer Jongkuk Kim, or reviving old friendships and musical partnerships with special guests Logan Richardson, Seamus Blake and Mino Cinelu, the passion and integrity shines through every note.
This record sees Tony turn his prolific musical energies back to the acoustic piano trio format that he loves, with some of his most trusted collaborators. “Joe is a great bass player in every genre – we used to work together in a theatre show in New York, and we’ve toured a lot in Europe. He always understands every move I make. And Jongkuk played with me on my debut at the Harlem Apollo theatre. He’s a complete musician.”
Without a predetermined plan for the course of the session, the band set up in the studio and the tape started rolling. This spontaneity is captured on ‘Child Mind’ as we hear Tony and his colleagues lightheartedly exploring the sonic confines of the environment. Then the feel continues for ‘Magic’ with a rolling 12/8 groove expressing how music can be an agent of travel, a magic carpet ride into inner space.
‘The Heart Is Lost’ has the direct melodic accessibility of a pop ballad deepened by Tony’s harmonic sophistication, expressing a plea for communication, while the fast, straight-ahead swing of ‘Present’ compels us to engage with the present moment. This sense of engagement finds expression in the overtly political ‘Poem For The Oppressed’ where the trio are joined by Seamus Blake and Logan Richardson, each of whom makes a passionate contribution in their unmistakable voices to this paean for those who are excluded from power. ‘Pardon My Church’ has the gospel-tinged feel associated with Keith Jarrett’s 1970s output, referencing Tony’s stint as a church organist in Manhattan, updated and reinvigorated by the trio’s effortless spontaneity. ‘Blues For Real Human Beings’ reaches back into the soulfulness of the blues tradition in a tribute to honesty in human relations.
Thelonious Monk’s ‘Work’ was chosen as a favourite – “I love the melody, and the title is like Monk is telling you to do the work, to devote yourself to fulfilling your potential. And it’s so playful.” This playful theme continues with ‘Chocolate Travels Slowly’ – a story of how the cacao molecule interacts slowly with the human brain to stimulate pleasure. For ’Tropical Blues’ the trio are joined by Mino Cinelu for a homage to the tune’s composer, the legendary Beguine pianist Alain Jean-Marie, and to the Martinique heritage which Tony, Mino and Alain all share. ‘Continuity’ is the contemplative closer, with the dark hued chords that indicates again how creativity never ends, and the cycle begins again.
Tony says “I’m delighted with the unity on this album. I like to think of each track as a chapter in the book, all working together to tell the story. We recorded everything in one take, with no faking or playing around in post-production, and the communication between us all was perfect. I felt like an adult for the first time… More music, more life. Sharing a vision isn’t an ego trip – I’m hoping it will resonate and inspire just as the work of others inspires me. There’s always a time for poetry, because the cycles of life and inspiration means that poems never end.”