FRANCAIS CI DESSOUX

Dear Music Lover,

It took a little longer than expected… and perhaps there were reasons for that during the autumn of 2024. Just after two albums had been recorded and I was ready to fully dive into working on them, our father passed away.

I believe I have now found peace with that, although it certainly cost me a few grey hairs.

Theo loved UmaX and the new music. He listened carefully to the entire concert and we spoke about it at length together. Deeply compassionate and freedom-loving as he was, he expressed himself with words such as: “I finally hear you completely.”

Two months after this concert, he passed away.

I am grateful that he was able to experience his son in that way through music. Together with Jean-Clair, I dedicate this album to him.

Meet In THE fOrest.
He is there too.
In Memoriam.

Fresh Off the Press!

UmaX releases new album: Meet In THE fOrest

Release date: May 26, 2026

With Meet In THE fOrest, Dutch duo UmaX presents an atmospheric and cinematic musical world where jazz, improvisation and contemporary sound design come together. The new album will soon be available on all major streaming platforms.

UmaX consists of improvising pianist/composer Edwin Berg and drummer Jean-Clair de Ruwe. Driven by their shared love for cinematic jazz, classical influences and modern layered textures, they create music that feels both organic and contemporary.

On Meet In THE fOrest, experience takes center stage: music that leaves room for imagination, stillness and emotion.

The album moves between improvisation, ambient textures and infectious compositions, featuring reworks of, among others, a Chopin Nocturne and Mozart’s Allegro Maestoso, alongside new zenfunk originals.

Acoustic instruments — piano and drums — form the foundation, enriched with subtle electronic elements, Berg’s vocals (for the very first time!) and a carefully crafted soundscape.

In an era where much music feels digital and fleeting, UmaX consciously chooses genuine live interaction between musicians, with all its dynamics and character.

The title Meet In THE fOrest refers to the festival and the place where the concert was recorded in its entirety.

“A place where calm, joy for music and human connection come together,” says UmaX.
“It is music you do not only hear — you experience it.”

Starting Tuesday, May 26, this link will take you to the official album release page, where you can continue to your favorite streaming platform.

We would greatly appreciate your attention to this release and/or this press release in your program or on your website.

UmaX

Edwin Berg — piano, keys, vocals & composition
Jean-Clair de Ruwe — drums & composition

If you would like to order a CD, feel free to reply to this message and I will gladly send one to you.

Cher amoureux de musique,

Cela a pris un peu plus de temps que prévu… et il y avait peut-être des raisons à cela durant l’automne 2024. Juste après l’enregistrement de deux albums, alors que j’étais prêt à me lancer pleinement dans leur réalisation, notre père nous a quittés.

Je crois avoir trouvé aujourd’hui une certaine paix avec cela, même si j’y ai laissé quelques cheveux gris.

Theo trouvait UmaX et cette nouvelle musique magnifiques. Il a écouté l’intégralité du concert avec beaucoup d’attention et nous en avons longuement parlé ensemble. Homme profondément sensible et amoureux de liberté, il m’a dit des choses comme : « cette fois, j’ai l’impression de t’entendre entièrement ».

Deux mois après ce concert, il est décédé.

Je suis reconnaissant qu’il ait pu découvrir son fils de cette manière, à travers la musique. Avec Jean-Clair, nous lui dédions cet album.

Meet In THE fOrest.

Il y est aussi.

In Memoriam.

Tout juste sorti de presse !

UmaX présente son nouvel album : *Meet In THE fOrest*

Sortie le 26 mai 2026.

Avec *Meet In THE fOrest*, le duo néerlandais UmaX dévoile un univers musical atmosphérique et cinématographique où se rencontrent jazz, improvisation et sound design contemporain. Le nouvel EP sera disponible prochainement sur toutes les grandes plateformes de streaming.

UmaX est composé du pianiste/compositeur improvisateur Edwin Berg et du batteur Jean-Clair de Ruwe. Portés par leur amour commun du jazz cinématique, des influences classiques et des textures modernes, ils créent une musique à la fois organique et actuelle.

Sur *Meet In THE fOrest*, l’expérience est au centre : une musique qui laisse place à l’imagination, au silence et à l’émotion.

L’album navigue entre improvisation, textures ambient et compositions entraînantes, avec des reworks notamment d’un Nocturne de Chopin et de l’Allegro Maestoso de Mozart, mais aussi de nouvelles compositions zenfunk originales.

Les instruments acoustiques — piano et batterie — constituent la base du projet, enrichie d’éléments électroniques subtils, des voix de Berg (pour la toute première fois !) et d’un paysage sonore soigneusement construit.

À une époque où beaucoup de musique paraît numérique et éphémère, UmaX choisit délibérément la véritable interaction live entre musiciens, avec sa dynamique et son caractère.

Le titre *Meet In THE fOrest* fait référence au festival et au lieu où le concert a été enregistré dans son intégralité.

« Un endroit où se rencontrent le calme, le plaisir de la musique et la rencontre humaine », explique UmaX.

« C’est une musique qui ne s’écoute pas seulement… elle se vit.»

À partir du mardi 26 mai, ce lien vous conduira vers la page officielle de sortie de l’album, d’où vous pourrez accéder à votre plateforme de streaming préférée.

N’hésitez pas à répondre à ce message si vous souhaitez commander un CD ; je vous l’enverrai avec plaisir.

UmaX

Edwin Berg — piano, claviers, voix & composition

Jean-Clair de Ruwe — batterie & composition

about

Edwin Berg is an award winning improvising pianist, bandleader, composer and teacher. After more than 25 years of international experience as a performing and recording artist, he now gets on stage with his youngest band UMAX. Communicating the desire to share everything he has learned through music and more and to connect with his rapidly growing audience.

Born and raised in the Netherlands with classical and popular music, Berg started enrolling into jazz and improvised music without ignoring his background. Having studied both the classical and jazz majors at the Utrecht Conservatory, confirms the exception he is in his generation.

After graduating  'cum laude', searching for a deeper contact with his musical soul, Berg has travelled to New York. Playing and recording with the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel, Carl Allen, Chris Cheek, Matt Penman and Steve Altenberg, New York helped Berg finding  his own musical voice. He always was and still is exploring the boundaries of jazz stretching towards contemporary, minimalistic and world music. It has brought him prizes, Best European Jazz Band Award  (Granada 2002) and claims by the international press like: 'Pure joy!'… 'Moments of jubilee!” (Granada Journal & Festival jury) and 'Berg’s lyrical music creates landscapes of exceptional beauty” (Cuadernos dell Jazz). As a composer, a recording artist and bandleader he has played at festivals (e.g. St. Germain-Des-Pres, North Sea Jazz), theaters (e.g. Mallorca, Madrid, Paris) and clubs around Europe (Bimhuis, Calle 54) as well as in America (e.g.Smalls, Zinc Bar, 55 Bar)) & Japan (e.g. Blue Note Tokyo).

Photography & website design  Merel Waagmeester