Ryan Truesdell is best-known for his work composing arranging, and producing for large jazz ensembles. When the pandemic made gathering 18 or more musicians in one room impossible, he embarked on a novel idea: composing for a string quartet, instead of a big band. At first, the plan was for him and one other composer to take on the project, but he admits, “things got out of hand”.

Synthesis features 17 pieces by 15 different composers, all of whom were set a challenge: create a classical string quartet for the very first time. Some of these composers had previously written for classical and classical-jazz blends, but the string quartet is a new experience for all of them.

The results are, inevitably, variable, and may not be to the jazz police’s liking, but make for a fascinating listen for the open-minded. Highlights among the 17 pieces are Miho Hazama’s ‘Chipmunk Timmy’s Funny Sunny Day’ and Truesdell’s ‘Heart of Gold (For Jody)’ and ‘Suite for Clarinet and String Quartet’, the latter featuring some gorgeous clarinet playing from Anat Cohen.