Serenade In Blue - Idema/serierse Quartet - Vinyl LP Record (Arrives in 50 days)

Some musical encounters feel like coming home. For the Idema/Serierse Quartet, revisiting the music that first brought them together is more than just a journey back in time—it’s a fresh artistic challenge. With Serenade in Blue, recorded in the intimate setting of the Roode Bioscoop in Amsterdam, guitarist Gijs Idema and vocalist Anna Serierse breathe new life into the Great American Songbook, tracing how their sound has evolved over the past decade. The album is set for release on April 11, 2025, via Dox Records. After two acclaimed albums of original music—Motus (nominated for an Edison Award) and Cloud Studies (2023)—Idema and Serierse are deliberately returning to the jazz standards that first shaped their collaboration, joined by Cas Jiskoot (bass) and Tim Hennekes (drums). These songs were their first musical language, the foundation of their connection. Now, a decade later, they feel the urge to look back and see how they’ve grown. With inventive arrangements and a carefully chosen repertoire, they bring new depth and perspective to these classics—not as a nostalgic exercise, but as a way of rediscovering timeless material with fresh ears. Some of these songs were part of their early setlists, others were beloved encores, and a few were handpicked specifically for this album. The result is a record that bridges tradition and innovation, balancing simplicity with a distinctive personal touch.

Recording Serenade in Blue at the Roode Bioscoop felt like a natural choice. This small, atmospheric theater—where the musicians have played countless times and feel truly at home—has a nostalgic charm that perfectly suits the music. The venue’s warm acoustics and intimate setting bring out the melancholic and timeless quality of these songs. The album was recorded as live as possible, with all four musicians in the same room, allowing their interplay and energy to unfold organically. Serenade in Blue is both a love letter to the music that brought them together and a reflection of how they continue to evolve. The album finds a unique balance between instrumental and vocal storytelling—sometimes through lyrics, sometimes wordlessly—showcasing a fresh approach to standards. Serierse’s voice moves beyond the traditional role of the jazz singer, weaving seamlessly with Idema’s guitar lines as an equal instrument in the ensemble.

More than just a look back, Serenade in Blue is a moment of artistic reflection before stepping forward again. After this deep dive into their roots, the group will shift their focus back to new original music—but standards will always remain a part of their musical DNA, a constant thread in their journey.

Tracklist

1. Beautiful Moons Ago
2. All Too Soon
3. Gone With the Wind
4. The Man I Love
5. Serenade In Blue
6. Nobody Else But Me
7. Just In Time
8. Upper Manhattan Medical Group
9. Lotus Blossom
10. Some Other Time

Label: Dox Records | Origin: Holland