Songs From Afar, released in January 2016 on Sunnyside, presents Lucian Ban Elevation’s distinct approach to avant-garde jazz piano. The album unfolds over ten tracks, including “Farewell,” where Ban’s nuanced touch and compositional voice draw from his Romanian heritage, as suggested by titles like “Transylvanian Sorrow Song” and “Transylvanian Wedding Song.” The record’s sparse footprint on Last.fm—38 listeners and 415 scrobbles—belies its subtle depth and the intimate, exploratory nature of the sessions.This artifact speaks to a lineage of jazz that privileges space and emotional resonance over overt virtuosity. Ban’s piano work navigates between abstraction and melody, offering a quiet but persistent signal to those attuned to its particular dialect. Sunnyside’s release captures the delicate balance of tradition and experimentation that defines Ban’s Elevation ensemble.

Songs From Afar, released in January 2016 on Sunnyside, presents Lucian Ban Elevation’s distinct approach to avant-garde jazz piano. The album unfolds over ten tracks, including “Farewell,” where Ban’s nuanced touch and compositional voice draw from his Romanian heritage, as suggested by titles like “Transylvanian Sorrow Song” and “Transylvanian Wedding Song.” The record’s sparse footprint on Last.fm—38 listeners and 415 scrobbles—belies its subtle depth and the intimate, exploratory nature of the sessions.This artifact speaks to a lineage of jazz that privileges space and emotional resonance over overt virtuosity. Ban’s piano work navigates between abstraction and melody, offering a quiet but persistent signal to those attuned to its particular dialect. Sunnyside’s release captures the delicate balance of tradition and experimentation that defines Ban’s Elevation ensemble.