Project

Zandscape – 2 dictionary results:
Zand·scape [Zand-skeyp] noun,
1. a musical landscape created by Mark Zandveld.
2. a band playing the creations mentioned above.

While it might be perceived as a gimmick, the dictionary entry actually gets to the heart of the band’s aesthetic. It points out that it relies on Mark Zandveld’s distinctive composing skills, but also that the music is conceived through collective playing and not only one man’s vision. Finally, there’s a great deal of humor and creativity involved, and this is also shown in titles like “Barhopping,” “Boptopus” and “What a Difference the Bass Makes.” Clearly, these guys like to play together, but make no mistake, behind the smile there’s also a stone-cold seriousness and an ambition to create an expression that is both musically curious and singular.

Jakob Baekgaard – All About Jazz

…and who am I to argue? After having been a bassist for decades, a fresh wind of inspiration led me to writing batch of compositions that you can find on Zandscape’s first CD.

Some of the pieces are written in the most common way jazz tunes are: in the form of a chord progression with a melody. Other pieces are more elaborate, with more information for each musician on the charts. Sometimes melodic ideas just flow and dictate the chords, and sometimes I pose myself the challenge to write a certain type, style or form of music. I consider tunes to be more than an excuse to improvise on, and I like to present a fresh variation, unified by the sound of the band.

As far as sources of influence you might hear (or not!): I’ve always loved the combination of vibraphone and guitar, plus the melodic and adventurous music of Corea, Burton, Jarret, Metheny and Swallow, and bands like Yellow Jackets and Steps. Thanks for the inspiration guys!

On the CD you hear: Mark Zandveld – bass; Gunnar Graafmans – vibraphone; Daniel de Moraes – guitar; Enrique Firpi – drums. Currently you will hear us live with Jeen Rabs – guitar and Jurjen Bakker – drums.

Latest developments:
– Wonderful vocalist Deborah J. Carter has written lyrics to a selection of Zandscape pieces, and performs with the group on special concerts. Check her out on deborahjcarter.com!
– Now online, evolved out of Zandscape: Zandzemble – a project in which we combine a string quartet with jazz musicians in an ensemble that seeks to fully integrate the qualities of both the (mostly) written contemporary “classical” and the (mostly) improvised “jazz” idioms. zandzemble.com
– Besides playing their own repertoire, Zandscape also performs together with Deborah J. Carter the music of her CD “Daytripper” with jazz interpretations of Beatles repertoire.
– in 2019, the above Deborah J. Carter & Zandscape released a vinyl album with vocal versions of their repertoire featuring Deborah’s lyrics. Recorded in the vintage audio Studio Nord in Bremen.

Mark Zandveld