Jazz Meets Freeskiing with Xander and Jordan Guldman

Featured Image: Ming Poon | Skier: Xander Guldman

Jazz and freeskiing go hand in hand. Improvised movements based on previous regimented lessons create the backbone of these two crafts. And the parallels are only growing stronger today. Jazz has always been about personal expression, with the greatest musical minds being those who found their own voice. As the internet churns out more and more impeccable skiers, those who stand out and find sustainability continue to not be the ones who only go the biggest, but those who hone their own expression.

"FORM" exemplifies this idea. From the minds of brothers Xander and Jordan Guldman, the project blends Jordan's original Jazz compositions with Xander's unequivocally unique interpretations of the mountain, all compiled by childhood friend Colter Fellows. The Truckee, California locals returned to their original stomping grounds, filming the entire piece in a zone called ASI on the famous Donner Pass.

These aren't Alaskan spines. This isn't a trip to Japan. Xander's riding is pristine as always, but the fact remains that this is skiing as we've all experienced it. These are friends riding in an area they've known their whole lives, and yet the result is something that feels unique, otherworldly, and entirely original.

As Miles Davis famously said, "Anybody can play. The note is only 20%. The attitude of the motherf*cker who plays it is 80%." As skiing continues to broaden and the talent pool deepens, it has become more evident who has the attitude. Anyone can slide down a hill, but only Xander can put his effortless stamp on a line. We hope "FORM" helps you tune into your personal touch this winter.

From YouTube:

Form is a shared project between Xander Guldman, his sibling Jordan, and their childhood friend Colter Fellows. This trio grew up together in Truckee, California, and took their lives in three different directions: Jordan as a jazz musician, Colter as a filmmaker, and Xander as a skier. Form is about returning to their roots, and exploring the intersection of their three crafts.

The entirety of this project was filmed within a small, personally meaningful zone on Donner Summit called ASI. This was the first place that Xander backcountry skied, and Donner Summit was this crew’s childhood gateway to the outdoors in general. By limiting themselves to a single zone, they wanted to explore how many distinct ways they could interpret and ski the same piece of terrain. Over two weeks of filming, Jordan wrote an original song which was inspired by the natural landscape and informed by the crew’s shared experience. Colter’s experience in shooting music videos offered a unique perspective of this familiar landscape, and his keen eye for dynamic shots proved to be integral in merging the worlds of music and skiing. This piece culminated in a five stop tour where the Jordan Guldman Quartet played live alongside the film. Form serves to remind us that the magic of both skiing and jazz lies in the spontaneous. That instinct should guide our movements in moments of inspiration.

Presented by Stellar Equipment

Starring Xander Guldman, Jordan Guldman

Filmed by Colter Fellows, Scott Gaffney, Kadin Harris, Riley Bathurst, Jake Burchmore

Music composed by Jordan Guldman

Musicians: Jordan Guldman, Wilson Woods, Liam Hastings, Noah Nelson