Release Date: April 2025 | Tour Dates: May 2025
For jazz enthusiasts and music lovers seeking a deeply emotional and sophisticated listening experience, the Belgian trio ¾ Peace (pronounced “Three for Peace“) is back with their highly anticipated third album, “Short Stories.” Set for release in April 2025, this album is a heartfelt invitation into their world of chamber jazz, where improvisation, classical elegance, and lyrical storytelling intertwine to create a sound that feels like a cherished conversation with an old friend, or the tender embrace of a long-lost love.
A Warm and Intimate Jazz Experience
“Short Stories” is more than just an album—it’s an emotional journey shared with you. The trio—comprising Ben Sluijs (alto sax, alto flute, clarinet), Christian Mendoza (piano), and Brice Soniano (double bass)—crafts music that balances technical brilliance with raw, heartfelt expression. Their sound, so inviting and personal, is:
- Lyrical and poetic – Melodies that linger in your heart, weaving stories that stay with you.
- Spacious and restrained – Every note has purpose, creating an intimate atmosphere where you can truly connect with the music.
- Texturally rich – From Ben’s soaring reeds to Brice’s melodic bass bowing, each instrument sings with a voice that speaks directly to the soul.
“Their music is like fine dining for the ears—nuanced, satisfying, and deeply moving. It’s an experience to be savored.”
What Makes “Short Stories” Special?
“Short Stories” holds a special place in our hearts because it achieves a rare and precious balance: it’s both sophisticated and accessible, technically brilliant and emotionally resonant. 3/4 Peacehas a gift for creating a sense of intimacy, as if you’re sharing a private musical conversation, right there with them. Their chamber music approach to jazz, combined with their individual talents and shared artistic vision, results in a sound that is both unique and deeply satisfying. It’s a “fine dining experience” for the ears, offering nuanced, meticulously crafted music that nourishes your soul and stays with you long after the final note fades.
1. A Unique Blend of Jazz and Classical
The album beautifully merges post-bop jazz sophistication with the delicacy of chamber music, creating a sound that’s both complex and accessible, inviting you to explore its depths. Tracks like “Vienna,” “Short Stories,” and “Mr. Motian To You” showcase their ability to tell vivid, evocative musical tales in just 3 to 6 minutes. “Short Stories” features original compositions from each member, a testament to their collaborative spirit. The result is a rich, tasteful sound, warm and intimate, like “a cherished conversation with an old friend, or the tenderest of embraces from a long-lost love.”
2. Three Distinctive Voices, One Unified Sound
Each musician brings their own cultural and artistic influences, creating a tapestry of sound that is both diverse and deeply unified:
Ben Sluijs (Belgium) – A lyrical saxophonist, blending American jazz traditions with European introspection. His playing, rooted in the belief that “to play music is projecting love,” is sincere and warm.
Christian Mendoza (Belgian-Peruvian) – A pianist who moves fluidly between jazz harmony and classical refinement, drawing from his rich heritage to create both contemplative and dynamic sounds.
Brice Soniano (France) – A bassist who treats his instrument as a melodic storyteller, using unconventional bowing techniques inspired by his time with the Baka Pygmies in Africa. His playing balances intuition and control, with a focus on vulnerability.
3. Music as a Spiritual Connection
The trio shares a philosophy: “To play music is projecting love.” This guiding principle infuses every note, making their performances feel like a shared moment of intimacy between musicians and listeners. Their shared values and artistic sensibilities create music that feels remarkably cohesive and unified, characterized by its intimacy, emotional depth, and a musical sophistication that speaks directly to the heart.
Why You Should Listen to “Short Stories”
In today’s world of fast-paced, often overproduced music, ¾ Peace offers something truly rare and precious: a moment of stillness, beauty, and profound human connection. Their album is a gift, perfect for:
- Jazz lovers who appreciate melodic storytelling that touches the heart.
- Classical music fans are drawn to the improvisational depth and emotional nuance of jazz.
- Anyone seeking music that speaks to the soul, offering solace, inspiration, and a sense of belonging.
“Short Stories” releases in April 2025. We wholeheartedly invite you to pre-save, pre-order, and immerse yourself in what promises to be one of the most authentic, moving, and deeply resonant jazz albums of the year. Don’t miss this chance to experience the exquisite artistry of ¾ Peace.
Ready to fall in love with jazz all over again? Follow ¾ Peaceand stay tuned for “Short Stories.”
Interview
A Conversation with ¾ Peace : Exploring the Intimate World of “Short Stories”
Interviewer: Hello ¾ Peace ! It’s a pleasure to have you here. Your new album, “Short Stories,” is generating a lot of buzz. What can listeners expect from this new release?
Ben Sluijs: We’re incredibly excited to share “Short Stories” with everyone. It’s a very personal album for us, a collection of musical stories that we hope will resonate deeply with listeners.
Christian Mendoza: We wanted to create an experience that felt intimate, like sharing a heartfelt conversation with a close friend. The album explores a range of emotions and musical ideas, but with a focus on clarity and directness.
Brice Soniano: It’s about finding that sweet spot where technical skill meets raw emotion. We want people to feel the music, not just hear it.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned intimacy a few times. How does that translate into the actual music?
Ben Sluijs: We focused on creating space in the music, allowing each note to breathe and have its own meaning. It’s about the way we interact with each other, the push and pull, the shared silences.
Christian Mendoza: There’s a delicacy to it, a sense of restraint. We’re not trying to fill every moment with sound, but rather to let the music unfold naturally.
Brice Soniano: And the sound of the instruments themselves plays a big role. The warmth of Ben’s saxophone, the resonance of the piano, the melodic richness of the bass – they all contribute to this feeling of closeness.
Interviewer: The album title, “Short Stories,” is quite intriguing. What’s the concept behind it?
Ben Sluijs: Each piece on the album is like a little story, with its own narrative and emotional arc. We tried to capture a complete musical journey within a concise timeframe.
Christian Mendoza: It’s about the beauty of brevity, the idea that you can convey a lot in a short amount of time. Like a good short story, each piece has a beginning, middle, and end, but it leaves something to the listener’s imagination as well.
Brice Soniano: We also wanted to explore different facets of storytelling. Some stories are joyful, some are melancholic, some are more abstract. It’s a collection of snapshots from our musical world.
Interviewer: You all come from different backgrounds and have diverse musical influences. How does that shape the sound of ¾ Peace ?**
Ben Sluijs: I think it’s what makes our sound unique. I bring a love for the American jazz tradition, but also a desire to explore more European soundscapes.
Christian Mendoza: My Belgian-Peruvian heritage gives me a wide range of influences, from classical music to Latin American rhythms. I try to blend those elements with my jazz sensibilities.
Brice Soniano: My background is rooted in classical music, but my time with the Baka Pygmies in Africa and my exploration of Persian music have had a profound impact on my playing, especially my approach to the bass as a melodic instrument.
Interviewer: There’s a real sense of connection between the three of you when you play. How do you achieve that?**
Ben Sluijs: It comes from a shared philosophy, a belief that “to play music is projecting love.” We’re not just playing notes; we’re communicating with each other and with the audience.
Christian Mendoza: We also share a deep respect for each other’s musical voices. We listen intently, and we try to create a space where each of us can express ourselves freely.
Brice Soniano: And we’re all committed to the idea that music is more than just entertainment. It’s a spiritual practice, a way to connect with something larger than ourselves.
Interviewer: You have a tour coming up in Belgium in May 2025. What can audiences expect from your live performances?**
Ben Sluijs: We’re excited to bring these stories to life on stage. The live setting adds another dimension to the music, a sense of spontaneity and immediacy.
Christian Mendoza: We try to create an atmosphere where the audience feels like they’re part of the conversation. It’s a shared experience, a moment of connection.
Brice Soniano: And we’ll be sharing music from “Short Stories,” of course, but also some older pieces and maybe even some surprises.
Interviewer: “Short Stories” is set to be released in April 2025. What do you hope listeners will take away from this album?**
Ben Sluijs:Zeker weten! Hier is de tekst met Brice Soniano, Christian Mendoza en Ben Sluijs vetgedrukt:
A Conversation with ¾ Peace: Exploring the Intimate World of “Short Stories”
Interviewer: Hello ¾ Peace! It’s a pleasure to have you here. Your new album, “Short Stories,” is generating a lot of buzz. What can listeners expect from this new release?
Ben Sluijs: We’re incredibly excited to share “Short Stories” with everyone. It’s a very personal album for us, a collection of musical stories that we hope will resonate deeply with listeners.
Christian Mendoza: We wanted to create an experience that felt intimate, like sharing a heartfelt conversation with a close friend. The album explores a range of emotions and musical ideas, but with a focus on clarity and directness.
Brice Soniano: It’s about finding that sweet spot where technical skill meets raw emotion. We want people to feel the music, not just hear it.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned intimacy a few times. How does that translate into the actual music?
Ben Sluijs: We focused on creating space in the music, allowing each note to breathe and have its own meaning. It’s about the way we interact with each other, the push and pull, the shared silences.
Christian Mendoza: There’s a delicacy to it, a sense of restraint. We’re not trying to fill every moment with sound, but rather to let the music unfold naturally.
Brice Soniano: And the sound of the instruments themselves plays a big role. The warmth of Ben Sluijs‘s saxophone, the resonance of the piano, the melodic richness of the bass – they all contribute to this feeling of closeness.
Interviewer: The album title, “Short Stories,” is quite intriguing. What’s the concept behind it?
Ben Sluijs: Each piece on the album is like a little story, with its own narrative and emotional arc. We tried to capture a complete musical journey within a concise timeframe.
Christian Mendoza: It’s about the beauty of brevity, the idea that you can convey a lot in a short amount of time. Like a good short story, each piece has a beginning, middle, and end, but it leaves something to the listener’s imagination as well.
Brice Soniano: We also wanted to explore different facets of storytelling. Some stories are joyful, some are melancholic, some are more abstract. It’s a collection of snapshots from our musical world.
Interviewer: You all come from different backgrounds and have diverse musical influences. How does that shape the sound of ¾ Peace ?**
Ben Sluijs: I think it’s what makes our sound unique. I bring a love for the American jazz tradition, but also a desire to explore more European soundscapes.
Christian Mendoza: My Belgian-Peruvian heritage gives me a wide range of influences, from classical music to Latin American rhythms. I try to blend those elements with my jazz sensibilities.
Brice Soniano: My background is rooted in classical music, but my time with the Baka Pygmies in Africa and my exploration of Persian music have had a profound impact on my playing, especially my approach to the bass as a melodic instrument.
Interviewer: There’s a real sense of connection between the three of you when you play. How do you achieve that?**
Ben Sluijs: It comes from a shared philosophy, a belief that “to play music is projecting love.” We’re not just playing notes; we’re communicating with each other and with the audience.
Christian Mendoza: We also share a deep respect for each other’s musical voices. We listen intently, and we try to create a space where each of us can express ourselves freely.
Brice Soniano: And we’re all committed to the idea that music is more than just entertainment. It’s a spiritual practice, a way to connect with something larger than ourselves.
Interviewer: You have a tour coming up in Belgium in May 2025. What can audiences expect from your live performances?**
Ben Sluijs: We’re excited to bring these stories to life on stage. The live setting adds another dimension to the music, a sense of spontaneity and immediacy.
Christian Mendoza: We try to create an atmosphere where the audience feels like they’re part of the conversation. It’s a shared experience, a moment of connection.
Brice Soniano: And we’ll be sharing music from “Short Stories,” of course, but also some older pieces and maybe even some surprises.
Interviewer: “Short Stories” is set to be released in April 2025. What do you hope listeners will take away from this album?**
Ben Sluijs: We hope it will offer them a moment of stillness, beauty, and connection in a world that often feels too fast-paced.
Christian Mendoza: We want them to feel something, to be moved by the music, to connect with the emotions and stories we’re sharing.
Brice Soniano: Ultimately, we hope “Short Stories” will leave them with a sense of warmth and intimacy, a feeling that they’ve just shared a special moment with us.
Interviewer: ¾ Peace, thank you so much for this insightful conversation. We wish you all the best with the release of “Short Stories.”
Ben Sluijs: Thank you!
Christian Mendoza: It was a pleasure.
Brice Soniano: We appreciate your time. We hope it will offer them a moment of stillness, beauty, and connection in a world that often feels too fast-paced.
Christian Mendoza: We want them to feel something, to be moved by the music, to connect with the emotions and stories we’re sharing.
Brice Soniano: Ultimately, we hope “Short Stories” will leave them with a sense of warmth and intimacy, a feeling that they’ve just shared a special moment with us.
Interviewer: ¾ Peace, thank you so much for this insightful conversation. We wish you all the best with the release of “Short Stories.”
Ben Sluijs: Thank you!
Christian Mendoza: It was a pleasure.
Brice Soniano: We appreciate your time.
