When Covid-19 hit in March 2020, band leader and composer Ruud Voesten used the mandatory free time to delve into one of the world's most famous medieval literary works: Dante Alighieri's Inferno. In this first part of Divine Comedy, Dante explores his own humanity, his society and his position in it by descending through the nine circles of hell. With Inferno as a guide and the lockdown as a catalyst, Ruud investigated his own personal connection to the deadly sins. Reflecting on themes such as lust, anger and betrayal involved a wide range of connections, motives and emotions that he transformed into music.

In September 2023, Ambrosia released on ZenNez Records, followed by an extensive Dutch tour of twelve concerts to prestigious locations such as Bimhuis, De Doelen, Theater Orpheus and more.

Building on the success of their Inferno-inspired album, Ambrosia is now about to release their long-awaited follow-up album, based on the second installment of Dante's Divine Comedy: Purgatorio. This new album, scheduled for release in late 2025, promises to be a moving musical journey through the seven terraces of the Louteringsberg.

The upcoming album shows Ambrosia's evolution as a band, blending their signature contemporary jazz sound with elements of contemporary classical and electronic music. Voesten's compositions are characterized by complex rhythmic structures and harmonic progressions that embody the climb up the Louteringsberg. Each composition corresponds to one of the seven deadly sins, and thus reflects the structure of Purgatorio. The music moves from dark, introspective pieces that represent pride and envy to more uplifting, ethereal compositions that symbolize the ascent to paradise. The band's improvisational talent is expressed in elaborate passages that give each musician the space to interpret the emotional landscape of Dante's poem.

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‍Line up:

Mo van der Does — Alto Saxophone

Wietse Voermans — Tenor saxophone

Koen Schalkwijk — Piano + Synthesizer

Tijs Klaassen — Double Bass

Ruud Voesten — Drums + Composition