All of the musicians have some previous ECM history. Konitz contributed to Kenny Wheeler’s classic Angel Song in 1996, while Mehldau played on a pair of Charles Lloyd discs, “The Water Is Wide” and “Hyperion With Higgins”, drawn from an inspired session in December 1999.

Haden’s and Motian’s associations with ECM go back almost to the beginning of the label’s history. Haden’s first ECM appearance was in 1972, as a contributor to Motian’s “Conception Vessel”, Paul’s first album as a leader. Both men recorded for ECM with Keith Jarrett’s American Quartet (the epic “Survivors’ Suite” and “Eyes of the Heart”). Haden’s also been heard on ECM with Pat Metheny, Denny Zeitlin, Carla Bley, and the much-loved “Magico” trio with Jan Garbarek and Egberto Gismonti. He’s also led his own large ensemble on “Ballad of the Fallen” (also with Paul Motian). Last year, after a longer absence, he returned to the label with a series of duets with Keith Jarrett: “Jasmine”.

Paul Motian’s considerable ECM discography as leader of his own groups includes a series of highly acclaimed albums by the trio with Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano, as well as a recent recording in trio with Jason Moran and Chris Potter, “Lost In A Dream”. Motian has also drummed on a wide range of other albums for ECM – with Paul Bley and Gary Peacock, Enrico Rava, Bobo Stenson, Arild Andersen, Marilyn Crispell, and more.