Bringing 13 independent bandleaders together in a single ensemble is usually a gamble. For Tyn Wybenga, it is a core philosophy. The Dutch composer and conductor has assembled a powerful collective with his Brainteaser Orchestra, This lineup has been making international waves, highlighted by invitations to major European festivals and a recent performance alongside Pat Metheny at the North Sea Jazz Festival. Wybenga's compositional approach radically breaks with big band conventions. His process mirrors that of a hip-hop producer: he records solo improvisations by his musicians, chops the material into pieces, and uses these fragments as samples to build entirely new tracks. This has earned him the tongue-in-cheek but fitting moniker 'Duke Electronicton.' Wybenga layers jazz, electronics, and contemporary classical music without ever sounding academic or overintellectualized.
For the new album, he expanded this concept internationally, bringing in guests such as Berlin-based saxophonist Otis Sandjö, Parisian violinist Theo Ceccaldi, singer Lizz Wright, and hip-hop vocalist Pink Oculus. Mixed by Grammy winner Nic Hard (Snarky Puppy), the sound brings together the diverse musical styles of everyone involved, juxtaposing the angular lines of the horns with sweeping, melodic string passages. The result is organic, modern large-ensemble jazz.
Their debut album, Brainteaser, won the German Jazz Prize (Deutscher Jazzpreis) in 2022 and was praised by the Dutch newspaper NRC as 'fresh, vibrant future jazz.' International media were equally enthusiastic: UK Jazz News hailed the music as 'hugely inventive and fast-thinking,' while de Volkskrant described it as 'subtly layered, richly variegated and compelling.' French magazine Citizen Jazz perhaps put it best: 'An orchestra like this is a gift for anyone who lives for music and adventure.' With Tonepool Paradox, the ensemble proves just how forward-looking and viable this concept truly is.

Additional Details

Label: Enja records

Genre: Jazz

Language: English

Run Time: 54:49 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 11/20/26

UPC: 767522988529