Østergaard

Danish drummer and composer Michala Østergaard-Nielsen proudly announces the release of the debut album from her trio featuring world-renowned American pianist Marilyn Crispell and acclaimed Swedish bassist Thommy Andersson. A striking blend of composed melodies and free improvisation, ‘The Cave’ captures a constantly evolving musical landscape where structure and spontaneity coexist.

Formed in 2022, the trio unites three deeply expressive and adventurous musicians with a shared passion for carefully crafted writing and the unpredictable beauty of spontaneity. Recorded during their debut tour, the record captures the raw energy and intuitive interplay that defines their collective sound.

“This album is the result of my vision and compositional approach, brought to life through a deep creative dialogue with Marilyn Crispell and Thommy Andersson,” says Østergaard-Nielsen. “I have always been fascinated by the tension between structure and freedom, and with this trio, I found a space where these elements coexist organically.”

Featuring eight original pieces, some compositions are built on simple motifs that expand into uncharted territory, while others take shape as through composed pieces with space for spontaneous interpretation. The result is an immersive world where silence, sound, and movement interact, offering a fresh and evocative take on the classic piano trio format.

Marilyn Crispell: piano
Thommy Andersson: bass
Michala Østergaard-Nielsen: drums, percussion and vibraphonette

Tracklist

1.	The Cave	5:38

2.	My Spirit Heart	11:20

3.	Improv #1	2:25

4.	T.B.A.	3:32

5.	Nine Tone Story	3:45

6.	Into the Light	5:51

7.	Improv #2	3:20

8.	A Smile of a Butterfly	5:55

Credits

released April 25, 2025

All tracks composed by Michala Østergaard-Nielsen
Recorded by Rasmus Glendorf at The Village Recording, Vanløse, DK, April 29th 2022
Mixed by Thomas Vang
Mastered by David Elberling
Cover design & drawings by Ronja Andersson
Layout by Ola Rubin

License