Mads Mathias

I’m All Ears (Storyville)

12th Nov 2021

Release: 12th Nov 2021

Pull together some of Europe’s hardest-swinging big band musicians, the UK’s leading arranger and a lush string section and you’ve got the main ingredients for Danish singer/saxophonist Mads Mathias’s highly anticipated second album.

I’m All Ears (12th Nov, Storyville Records) takes inspiration from those classic swing-era records and brings it firmly into 2021 with nine original songs which tell Mads’ wistful tale of navigating an increasingly polarized world.

Each song lyric a snapshot, a vignette – from the tongue in cheek, humorous lament of a bad dancer in ‘If I were a Dancer’ to the nostalgic wistfulness of ‘Marigold’ – a poetic insight into how fast children grow up and the fear of a parent having to let them go.

Mads’ debut album in 2012 has seen him build a busy touring schedule both internationally and at home, where he’s a regular with the award-winning Danish Radio Big Band.

It’s testament to his reputation in the industry that he’s rounded up such a stellar cast, from the UK’s leading jazz arranger Guy Barker, Danish String Quartet leader Rune Tonsgård, Brazilian Pandero master Bernardo Aguiar and world-renowned harmonica player, Mathias Heise.

And, as with many of the greatest albums, a rhythm section who have played enough gigs together to achieve that near-telepathic ability: childhood playmate Peter Rosendal (keys), Morten Ankarfeldt (bass) and drum duties shared between Esben Laub & UK rising-star James Maddren.

The title ‘I’m All Ears’ references Mads’s intuitive approach to music, having lived part of his life in Tanzania, where his love for beats, rhythm and swing originated.

Whilst each song exists as its own colourful tale, the level of production and orchestration provides a beautifully coherent sound that demands a full listening session; a spellbinding collection of nine undeniably swinging originals. Music to your ears.

“Effortless… an international star in the making”
– Gaffa

Line Up

Mads Mathias vocals, saxophone
Peter Rosendal Piano
Morten Ankarfeldt Bass
James Maddren Drums
Rune Tonsgård Violin
Charlotte Rafn Violin
Jens Balslev Viola
Therese Åstrand Radev Cello
Mathias Heise Harmonica
Bernardo Aguiar Percussion
Anders Gustafsson Trumpet
Mårten Lundgren Trumpet
Michael Blicher Tenor Saxophone
Peter Jensen Trombone
Jan Harbeck Baritone Saxophone
Espen Laub von Lillienskjold Drums