Great Players North European Jazz - beyond the Cool

[Luluna]

While searching for Hans Koller, I found this 1965 Wes Montgomery clip featuring:

Rehearsal in Hamburg

Wes Montgomery - guitar
Johnny Griffin - tenor sax
Ronnie Scott - tenor sax
Hans Koller - alto sax
Ronnie Ross - baritone sax
Martial Solal - piano
Michel Gaudry - bass
Ronnie Stephenson - drums

http://tinyurl.com/8xcxue

Crazy!
8)

 

[lowie]

Now I remembered another Scandinavian jazz legend, although he wasn`t a saxophonist, Jan Johannsson, the Swedish pianist. This was in the sixties (he died in a car crash a long time ago). He made two beautiful albums with just piano and bass called "Jazz p? Svenska" (jazz in Swedish) and "Jazz p? Ryska" (jazz in Russian).
Well worth listening to

 

[Jules]

In a fairly similar vein (ish), has anyone got the Prtico Quartet album that was up for the mercury prize this year? Saw them at Glastonbury and thought they were great, just wondering how well they come across recorded...

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi Jules!

I've just ordered it - they sound great to my ears! "Like Garbarek with rhythm", my wife said in passing.

They are called the Portico Quartet, however, and can be heard on their MySpace.

Also managed to list to Jan Johansson on the net last night, and liked his style.

Do keep the contributions coming - its a change from investigating mouthpieces and reeds, at the very least 😛

Kind Regards to you all
Tom 8)

 

[TomMapfumo]

Tip for 2009 - The Stick Trio (France) , involving Sax, Drums and Stick - have a look on their myspace and see what you think.

Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[Jules]

Not North European, but in a similar vein, I remember John Lurie (of New York jazz punks, The Lounge Lizards) did a great CD with two "ethnic" percussionists- called 'John Lurie's National Orchestra'

 

[AlanU]

I know he's more West Country than far North, but everyone seems to overlook John Surman who I think is in a similar bag.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi Alan!

As far as I am aware the West Country IS in Northern Europe. Please tell us more about John Surman - I really know nothing about him so would appreciate any info, recommendations etc

Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[Jules]

Have you got hold of the Portico Quartet CD yet? If so, what's the verdict?

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi Jules!

Still not yet arrived - having to make do with Miles Davis back catalogue, Horace Silver in Tokyo, Bellowhead - see them live in 4 weeks, and Josh Rouse "The Rykodisc Years'. Only main thing I've received through the post so far this year is a FL Basic XL Alto Lig (gone completely 'metal' in the past few weeks, edging out the EVO-5's.

Will let you know when I have it. Also playing a Martin Speake piece currently, which has a lebanese feel and uses C lydian - sounds good.
Have a good W/E,
Tom 8)

 

[old_git]

Bellowhead?????
Wanna borrow my Theo Gibb refurbished de-Clubbed Erika CG with Caggies and flattened third, fifths and sevenths so you can join in?
Give my regards to John and Jon.

 

[Jules]

TomMapfumo wrote:
Hi Jules!
Horace Silver in Tokyo, Bellowhead - see them live in 4 weeks, and Josh Rouse "The Rykodisc Years'.

Bellowhead- Superb band, amazing live- they wiped the floor with us at the Big Chill Festival a couple of years ago!

 

[Bobby G]

Is Poland North-European enough? Well, maybe more East, really, but I can recommend trumpeter Tomas Stanko (I may have missed out a 'z' somewhere) on his quartet's CD, 'Suspended Night', very moody and hypnotic.

Also, I have a very hazy memory of hearing a fabulous Swedish septet, Porkka or Pekka or PK7 (?) featuring some absolutely blistering bass sax soloing. Can anyone help?

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi Bobby!

Yes, Tomasz Stanko is an excellent trumpeter - I have 3 of his CD's including 'Suspended Night'. In similar vein (trumpeters) I would heartily recommend Nils Petter Molvaer & Arve Henriksen (both Norwegian) and Eric Truffaz (French/Swiss). NPM's album 'Khmer' was voted 2nd most important jazz album in Norway, by a collection of Jazz authorities/officionado's. They are less traditional sounding and use quite a lot of electronics, which really appeals to me.

Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[Jules]

apparently- according to my dad- reporting something he hear on radio- there's a scottish folk/classical composer specializing in the music of the orkneys currently working with branford marsalis... no more info than that.

 

[rmdickaty]

For John Surman, check out his Duo album with Jack Dejohnette, "Suspended Night" very,very good, folk, jazz, electronica.....Live from 2002.
First track "Mysterium" a real tour de force...
Also another Norwgian sax player, Trygve Seim, doing some great music with Arve Henriksen, appearing on his - (ECM) records.......
Again in that Jazz/classical/electronica soundscape.
I also recomend, Tomasz Stanko Septet "Litania" as a fave of mine, from the Polish jazz world.

 

[Jules]

nachoman wrote:
apparently- according to my dad- reporting something he hear on radio- there's a scottish folk/classical composer specializing in the music of the orkneys currently working with branford marsalis... no more info than that.

ah ha- try googling "home coming 2009" for decyphering of above post...

 

[TomMapfumo]

nachoman wrote:
Have you got hold of the Portico Quartet CD yet? If so, what's the verdict?

Hi all!

Had the Portico CD for a couple of weeks - really enjoyable listening - seems to be quite contemporary sound, with a classical edge to it. I'm very taken with it, and happy to recommend it very highly. It is tuneful, lyrical and well placed throughout.

Kind regards
Tom
8)

 

[Jules]

TomMapfumo wrote:

nachoman wrote:
Have you got hold of the Portico Quartet CD yet? If so, what's the verdict?

Hi all!

Had the Portico CD for a couple of weeks - really enjoyable listening - seems to be quite contemporary sound, with a classical edge to it. I'm very taken with it, and happy to recommend it very highly. It is tuneful, lyrical and well placed throughout.

Kind regards
Tom
8)

they're worth investigating, if only for that odd metal percussion instrument one of them plays- the musical wok thingy- a quite beautiful sound he gets on it......

 

[dan]

nachoman wrote:

TomMapfumo wrote:

nachoman wrote:
Have you got hold of the Portico Quartet CD yet? If so, what's the verdict?

Hi all!

Had the Portico CD for a couple of weeks - really enjoyable listening - seems to be quite contemporary sound, with a classical edge to it. I'm very taken with it, and happy to recommend it very highly. It is tuneful, lyrical and well placed throughout.

Kind regards
Tom
8)

they're worth investigating, if only for that odd metal percussion instrument one of them plays- the musical wok thingy- a quite beautiful sound he gets on it......

Hey Tom & Jools,

You may be interested to know that the big band I run will be gigging with
the Portico Quartet on March 22nd. Two of the lads in the Quartet are ex-students of mine and apart from making wonderful music are proper lovely guys too! I am thinking about holding an open rehearsal the day before (Sat 21st March), would you be interested in attending if I did?

Dan

PS
Unfortunately I have agreed to scoring out all their tunes for big band..... now that I have surfaced for air, I must go back to the dots and dashes that seem to appear of their own accord on the scores in front of me......