Hlsmanns compositions always have great respect for melody that lends depth and an enduring quality to her finest work, which with every addition to her ECM discography, keeps growing. Jazzwise Magazine

After the highly acclaimed run of quartet recordings from Not Far From Here (2019), The Next Door (2022) to Under The Surface (2025), German pianist Julia Hlsmann has decided to alter the narrative and up the ante with a newly formed octet of award-winning instrumentalists and vocalists.

On While I Was Away Julia combines the line-up of a classical trio (violin, cello, piano) with a common jazz piano trio and invites three singers to join in for a programme of adventurous originals, an individual take on Ani DiFrancos 1999 hit Up Up and a breezy Brazilian tune by songwriter Zlia Fonsesca.

The music is often combined with lyrics of renown writes, for instance Emily Dickinson, Margaret Artwood and E.E. Cummings. A wide pallet of musical connotations unfolds, as Brazilian dance, musical-like storytelling, chamber music dynamics and passages of dense, free improvisation colour a flourescent picture of a fierce ensemble.

The musicians of Julias octet are: Eva Klesse, Eva Kruse, Susanne Paul, Hlose Lefebvre, Michael Schiefel, Aline Frazo and Live Maria Roggen.

Julia Hlsmann Octet
Aline Frazo: Vocals
Live Maria Roggen: Vocals
Michael Schiefel: Vocals
Hlose Lefebvre: Violin
Susanne Paul: Violoncello
Julia Hlsmann: Piano
Eva Kruse: Double Bass
Eva Klesse: Drums

Tracklisting:
1. Coisrio De Imagens
2. Sleep
3. Up, Up, Up, Up, Up, Up
4. Felicia’s Song
5. You Come Back
6. Walkside
7. Hora Azul
8. TicToc
9. Iskele
10. Moonfish Dance