Behind the Scenes of Soft Shoulders
A Tribute to Ack van Rooyen
It’s impossible to think of Soft Shoulders without thinking of the man who made it so special – the legendary Ack van Rooyen. This album, recorded live in Studio 2 of the MCO in Hilversum, turned out to be one of Ack’s very last recordings. He played until the very end of his remarkable life, and even in his nineties, his sound was filled with that unmistakable warmth, grace, and lyrical depth that had touched generations of listeners.
Ack’s career is the stuff of jazz history. From his early years playing with the Dutch Jazz Orchestra, his work with Kurt Edelhagen, and his long collaboration with his brother Jerry van Rooyen, to his later recordings with The Metropole Orchestra and European big bands, Ack’s tone was always instantly recognizable, pure gold on brass. Though he was loved by an older jazz audience, Ack would often smile and say, “I always play for a young audience.” It was this youthful curiosity and joy that kept his music alive, right until the very last note.
Two Days of Recording – Spreading the Energy
For Soft Shoulders, we planned two recording days in Studio 2. At Ack’s age, the only limitation he faced was endurance; he could no longer perform at peak energy for long stretches. Splitting the work over two days allowed him to stay fresh and focused.
The live concert at the end of the second day was divided into two short sets of about half an hour each. It turned out to be a wise decision — every note radiated clarity and intention.
At the end of the first day, I offered Ack and pianist Juraj Stanik a ride back to the hotel. Juraj, a bit exhausted, sighed, “That was intense… I’m tired.” Ack turned to him with a twinkle in his eye and said, “The youth isn’t what it used to be.” That moment summed up who he was, humble, humorous and always in control of the atmosphere.
A New Challenge: One Stereo Microphone
Although Ack had recorded countless albums, there was something new about this session: we were going to record with just one stereo microphone, a Josephson C700S. This One Mic Recording technique is at the heart of Sound Liaison’s philosophy: capturing musicians as naturally as possible, preserving their spatial relationship and the sound of the room.
We first positioned the piano so that it would also sit well visually for the live audience the next day, no need to move it later. Then Ack, who preferred sitting on a stool, found a comfortable position in relation to both the piano and the microphone. For Ack, this approach required some patience. We spent time testing and repositioning him and to achieve the perfect balance, until the sound felt right, warm, balanced and true to their natural dynamics. Every time Ack wanted to hear the result, he had to walk to the control room. But once we found the sweet spot, everything fell into place.
The biggest challenge was psychological. Ack had spent his entire life playing into his personal microphone. Now, I asked him to forget the mic altogether and simply play toward the audience. Once he relaxed into that mindset, the music opened up beautifully.
The First Take
Though our plan was to use the live concert as the main source for the album, we decided to record a few backup takes, just in case something didn’t go perfectly during the concert. This gave Ack a sense of calm; he knew we already had something special preserved.
When we were finally ready to roll, Peter Bjørnild, my Sound Liaison partner, said he needed a quick visit to the restroom. Ack smiled and said, “Start the tape anyway.” By the time Peter returned, the first take was already in the can, and it was beautiful.
That’s what experience sounds like. Ack didn’t need to warm up; he simply was music.
Friendship in Sound
One of the most moving aspects of Soft Shoulders is the deep friendship between Ack and Juraj. You can feel it in every track, the way Juraj’s piano gently supports Ack’s phrasing, how they listen to one another, leaving space, breathing together. It’s a dialogue between two souls who trust each other completely, and that intimacy is what makes this recording so timeless.
Technical Notes
The recording was made in PCM DXD 352 kHz, the highest resolution we were working with at that time. The acoustic beauty of MCO Studio 2, a room that has hosted so many legendary Dutch recordings, shines through in every note.
Listening back now, I sometimes wonder what Ack would sound like if we could have recorded him in (Pure) DSD256, our current reference format. But of course, you can’t redo magic moments like these, they exist once, perfectly, as memories.
Remembering Ack
As I write this, the idea arises to organize a tribute, a project where a young generation of trumpet players, all inspired by Ack, perform his favorite tunes. It feels like the right way to honor him: keeping his sound alive through new voices.
Ack van Rooyen was a remarkable man and a magnificent musician. His tone, humor, and humanity are forever etched into Soft Shoulders. When you listen to this album, you are not just hearing music, you are hearing a life well lived, captured forever in sound.
Where to find the album
Soft Shoulders by Ack van & Juraj Stanik is available directly via Sound Liaison: https://soundliaison.com/products/ack-van-rooyen-juraj-stanik-soft-shoulders . For high-resolution downloads, visit the above link and select your preferred format.