ZUVERSICHT in the studio – Nils Wülker, Aaron Parks, Linda May Han Oh & Gregory Hutchinson

Documentary by Robert Summerfield about the recording process of Nils Wülker's new album ZUVERSICHT (Warner Music 2026) Nils Wülker (trumpet, flugelhorn, composition) Aaron Parks (piano) Linda May Han Oh (bass) Gregory Hutchsinson (drums) Recorded June 2025 at Hansa Studios Berlin Produced by Nils Wülker This short-documentary film captures three recording days with Jazz musicians Linda May Han Oh, Nils Wülker, Gregory Hutchinson and Aaron Parks as they search and find common ground in a shared artistic vision. They have never collaborated in this constellation, and most of the recordings happen on the spot. The backdrop of this session is the legendary Hansa Studio in Berlin – a creative sanctuary of historical significance, just a block from the old Berlin Wall, where David Bowie recorded his „Hero“ album while living in Berlin in 1977. The film reveals how jazz recordings depend on improvisation and strong personal chemistry between musicians. Through a blend of vérité-style portraits, free-flowing performances, and seamless transitions, it captures the four artists pouring their heart, soul, and personal histories into Nils Wülker’s compositions for his album "Zuversicht". Directed by Robert Summerfield www.robertsummerfield.com DoP & Edit: Alexander Triebel Soundmix: Florestan von Tschammer Color & 2nd Camera: Léonard Ulmen About the album: When we experience hope so actively that we trust in the future against all adversities it is called “Zuversicht” in German. The new album of the same name, the fifteenth by Nils Wülker, the "sonically brilliant trumpeter and exceptional composer" according to Crescendo, and his first with a German title, radiates this vital energy – in many wonderful ways. The eleven original compositions come full circle and open up new horizons, deliberately pushing the leader out of his comfort zone into a beautiful, new world of sound. For the first time since his debut in 2002 – and numerous chart successes later – ECHO winner Nils Wülker has recorded with an international line-up, an adequately top-class one at that: Aaron Parks on piano, Linda May Han Oh on double bass, and Gregory Hutchinson on drums. Wülker's highly personal sound is haunting and unmistakable, the overall result is still surprising. The album title actually came to Nils through the German translation of a poem by the German-born rabbi, civil rights activist, and entrepreneur Samuel Ullman. He wrote the line "You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts" in his poem "Youth". "In recent months, as the world situation and social developments weighed heavy on my mind, this quote has stuck with me," says Nils Wülker. "It has become a guiding principle for me. And I began to also use it as a motto and guideline for this album production." The 48-year-old consciously created more space for interaction and spontaneity in the studio during these recordings, especially after his last albums had been highly musically structured – whether through the orchestral arrangements for "Continuum," the meticulously created soundscapes of his duo with Arne Jansen for "Closer," or the weeks of synth/electro studio work for "GO." He wanted to be confident, in keeping with the album title, that something beautiful would happen on location and that he would intuitively make good decisions in the moment. "For me, that's also the essence of jazz," says Nils. "Over the past few years, I've learned that my music inevitably sounds like me, no matter what the musical environment – this gives me the trust and confidence to really let go." Aaron confirms: "It's just a really interesting and cool band that he's put together, which is bringing something out of the music which is available inside the songs themselves, but also wouldn't be available without this exact same crew. I have a real feeling of resonance with what he's after with this music, so I'm happy to get to join him." The result speaks for itself: "Zuversicht" is a highly organic album, vibrant in every note, to which the leader's compositions, combined with the creative collaboration of the three other band members, lend enormous grandeur and elegance, as well as a consistently overwhelming energy. “The melodies that Nils writes, are just so beautiful and they're quite easy to internalize”, says Linda. “I think to have such a strong melody in music can be a real gift. And it makes the improvisatory part of the process a lot easier, when you have a strong melody to grasp onto.” Aaron adds: "I have a strong feeling that Nils is trying to achieve something with this music. I welcome not being afraid to go right for the heart, having music that is unapologetically heartfelt. And so, you know, I feel a kinship.” Gregory has the final word on this. "Nils’ music lends itself to exploration and the unknown. Through that, there's something very special that happens. So we just go with the flow and that really allows us to be who we are.”