INTO THE AQUASPHERE, new album from FLORIAN HOEFNER out on Alma Records/Universal October 23, 2026
September 25, 2026Juno Award winner Florian Hoefner proudly announces his most ambitious work to date, Into the Aquasphere, a genre-defying fusion of jazz quartet and 22-piece chamber orchestra exploring water’s power and fragility.
Florian Hoefner, Juno Award-winning pianist and composer, presents his highly anticipated new album, Into The Aquasphere. This is Hoefner’s first large ensemble project, uniting a jazz quartet (piano, bass, drums, tenor saxophone) with a full chamber orchestra in one fully integrated ensemble — not a soloist accompanied by strings, but a true symbiosis of jazz and classical language.
Into The Aquasphere will be available worldwide on CD, Streaming, Digital, Dolby Atmos + Hi-Res Digital Platforms. Pre-order/Pre-save
HERE
The first single, Force Of Nature, is out today. Listen
HERE
Watch the sizzle reel of “Into The Aquasphere” on YouTube
HERE
Recorded at Studio Piccolo in Montreal in October 2024, Into The Aquasphere was led by conductor JC Sanford and features an all-star cast, including John Hébert (bass), Eric McPherson (drums), Christine Carter (clarinet, bass clarinet), and Grammy Award-winning concertmaster Nathalie Bonin. The album’s three original compositions explore water’s role as a life-giving and world-shaping force, from the atmospheric moisture systems of the Amazon to the Atlantic currents now threatened by climate change.
Beyond its cinematic scope, Into The Aquasphere is a meeting of jazz and classical sensibilities. As Florian stresses, “this is not a jazz quartet accompanied by an orchestra, but one ensemble, where the quartet is fully integrated with the orchestra.” The result is neither strictly jazz nor classical, but an original symbiosis bringing out the best of both.
“I have always been creatively inspired by the environment. Even when I lived in Germany I always sought out nature experiences, whether it was hiking high up in the Alps or swimming in wild waters. These experiences have left a lasting impression on me, and I care deeply about protecting the natural places that inspired them,” says Hoefner.
Into The Aquasphere brings Hoefner’s artistic philosophy to life on an extraordinary scale, transforming his distinctive musical voice into a powerful, immersive artistic experience. A must-hear for jazz and classical enthusiasts alike, this is more than an album—it’s a bold artistic statement introducing a new symbiosis of genres.
“Florian Hoefner is a cerebral and harmonically daring pianist.”
- Brian Zimmerman, Downbeat.
“Hoefner turns a self-imposed challenge into a poetic conception of real depth.”
- Brian Morton, Jazz Journal.
“Hoefner’s own poetry can also be chameleonic as he invents new harmonies and chords that are tantamount to reinventing tonality itself. [...] sublimely evocative music.”
- Raul Da Gama, The Whole Note.
“Hoefner is one of Canada’s most interesting young jazz pianists.”
-Colin Story, The WholeNote.
Into The Aquasphere marks a new artistic horizon for Florian Hoefner.
Track Listing
1. Aerial Rivers
2. AMOC
3. Force Of Nature
Atlantic Jazz Collective is Going on Tour!
June 16, 2026Atlantic Jazz Collective feat. Norma Winstone – 2026 'Seascape' Festival Tour
Born out of St. John's Atlantic Jazz Nights concert series, the Atlantic Jazz Collective (Mike Murley, Jim Vivian, Florian Hoefner) presents their debut album Seascape (Alma Records, May 2025), featuring revered UK vocalist Norma Winstone and drummer Nick Fraser. This summer, they hit the festival circuit:
June 25 — Ottawa Jazz Festival
June 26/27 — Toronto Jazz Festival
June 28 — Edmonton Jazz Festival
July 7 — Halifax Jazz Festival
Alma Records releases “FRIDAY” on VINYL!! The second in the new series of MONKEY HOUSE SPECIAL LIMITED COLLECTOR’S EDITION VINYL Releases
March 19, 2026Alma Records/Universal Music proudly announces the second entry in its new Special Limited Collector’s Edition Vinyl Series — Friday — the classic album from internationally acclaimed Emmy-winning singer/songwriter Don Breithaupt and his celebrated band Monkey House.
This Special Limited Collector’s Edition audiophile release is Direct Metal Mastered (DMM) from ultra-hi 24-bit/192kHz recordings for maximum clarity and depth. Cut at 45 RPM, half-speed mastered, and pressed on 180-gram blue virgin vinyl, it includes the bonus track “Echo Park Blues” and features The Manhattan Transfer, Mark Lettieri, Drew Zingg, and Michael Leonhart.
This version is ONLY available at shopalmarecords.com
Friday marks the second Vinyl record release in Alma’s Special Limited Collector’s Edition Vinyl Series — a curated collection designed for true audiophiles and vinyl enthusiasts. Each release will feature distinctive pressings, premium packaging, and meticulous attention to sonic and visual detail.
Alma Records releases “CRASHBOX” on VINYL!! The first in the new series of MONKEY HOUSE SPECIAL LIMITED COLLECTOR’S EDITION VINYL Releases
December 9, 2025An audiophile treasure, this 2-disc **Crashbox** LP is pressed on custom turquoise 180g virgin vinyl at 45 RPM from an ultra high-resolution 24bit/192kHz audio master. *Crashbox* is the perfect kick-off to this Special Limited Collector’s Edition series!!
Alma Records/Universal Music proudly announces the first entry in its new Special Limited Collector’s Edition vinyl series: *Crashbox*, the new album from internationally acclaimed Emmy-winning singer/songwriter Don Breithaupt and his celebrated band Monkey House. This exclusive audiophile pressing arrives in Canada on December 5 and the rest of the world on December 12.
*Crashbox* Special Limited Collector’s Edition LP will be available everywhere vinyl is sold. Pre-order from your favourite store HERE.
The first 300 units — ONLY available at shopalmarecords.com — are sequentially numbered. In addition, each contains a signed LITHO by Don Breithaupt himself. Pre-order soon while stock lasts.
As the ultimate collector’s prize — also ONLY available at shopalmarecords.com — we are going to auction copy number 001/300, offering fans a chance to own a true piece of Monkey House history. The winner of the auction will also receive a personal note that will accompany the vinyl, as well as a private Zoom call with Don. Enter the auction HERE.
Released on CD and streaming, Dolby Atmos, and hi-res digital platforms on June 6, 2025, *Crashbox* was hailed as a bold, genre-blending statement, featuring Monkey House’s core lineup — Justin Abedin (guitar), Pat Kilbride (bass), Mark Kelso (drums) — and special guests Michael Leonhart (Steely Dan), Drew Zingg (Boz Scaggs), and powerhouse vocalists Michael Dunston and Selena Evangeline. Recorded live at Noble Street Studios in Toronto and meticulously produced by Peter Cardinali with Grammy-winning engineer John “Beetle” Bailey.
The new vinyl pressing of *Crashbox* gives fans the chance to experience this landmark recording with the warmth, depth, and fidelity only audiophile vinyl can deliver.
This release also marks the launch of Alma’s Special Limited Collector’s Edition vinyl series — a curated line designed for true collectors. Each limited edition will feature unique pressings and premium packaging. The next title, Monkey House’s *Friday*, will follow on March 20, 2026.
Adi Braun's Brand New Tour Dates (2025 and 2026)
August 27, 20252025 Dates
AUGUST 29 - BANFF CENTRE FOR CREATIVITY, AL
"A NIGHT IN VIENNA"
Adi Braun hosts the gala event "Viennese Waltz Night" at the International String Quartet Competition
BISQC 2025 Tickets & Packages | Banff Centre
SEPTEMBER 18th - VANCOUVER, BC
"COLE PORTER & FRIENDS"With Tilden Webb (piano), Jodi Proznick (bass) & Jesse Cahill (drums)
SEPTEMBER 21st - PENDER HARBOUR, BC
"COLE PORTER & FRIENDS"
With Tilden Webb (piano), Jodi Proznick (bass) & Jesse Cahill (drums)
Adi Braun - "Cole Porter & Friends" / 21 September 2025 / Pender Harbour Music Society
NOVEMBER 5TH - FLATO THEATRE, MARKHAM, ON
"COLE PORTER & FRIENDS"With Don Breithaupt (piano), Pat Collins (bass), Daniel Barnes (drums) & William Sperandei (trumpet)Adi Braun Sings Cole Porter
NOVEMBER 14th - OLD MILL, TORONTO, ON
"Blonde Ambition - the music of Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney & Peggy Lee"With Don Breithaupt (piano), Pat Collins (bass) & Daniel Barnes (drums)Blonde Ambition with Adi Braun - Old Mill Toronto
2026 Dates
FEBRUARY 6th - BURLINGTON PERFORMNING ARTS CENTRE, ON
"COLE PORTER & FRIENDS"With Don Breithaupt (piano), Pat Collins (bass) & Daniel Barnes (drums)Adi Braun Sings Cole Porter - The Burlington Performing Arts Centre
