Jan Lundgren - Into the Night (Vinyl) November 26, 2021 ACT Music

The trio format has always been something of an ideal for Jan Lundgren. That particular buzz when communication between the musicians in a trio is direct, immediate and ever-present...when the trio keeps a constant sense of forward motion and development...when the players collectively remain open to the inspiration of every millisecond. These are the virtues which Lundgren sees as the recipe for the kind of openness, freedom, subtlety and excellence of a trio at its best.

Lundgren has had a trio in the classic piano/bass/drums format ever since 1995. In addition, since 2007, he has also broken the mould with the "Mare Nostrum" project, a congenial alliance with Sardinian trumpeter Paolo Fresu and French accordionist Richard Galliano. Critics hailed it at the time as the "first European supergroup". And Mare Nostrum has brought him even closer to his ideal. But, there again, Jan Lundgren is nothing if not driven and determined, and is probably at his most fulfilled when setting himself new challenges...

"I have always been on the look-out for strong voices in the European jazz scene, musicians who have a similar sense of adventure to mine and who can move in any direction," explains the 55-year-old. And he also happens to have a good platform to make that happen, in the form of the Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival. Lundgren founded the festival in 2010 and has been Director of it ever since. (Ystad, incidentally, is the small town on the south coast of Sweden which has been made world-famous by Henning Mankell's Wallander TV thrillers). The "Ystad Concert '' from 2015 with bassist Mattias Svensson and the Bonfiglioli Weber String Quartet, a tribute to the Swedish jazz pioneer Jan Johansson, is a case in point. As Lundgren expresses it: "There's always something new waiting for me in Ystad, something I've never tried before..."

And thus it was that fate took a hand at the 2020 festival – as it so often does in jazz. Jan Lundgren had programmed a performance by his own piano trio. But when the drummer had to cancel due to Corona travel restrictions, French saxophone luminary Emile Parisien stepped into the breach at very short notice and a completely unconventional trio was born, one of those unexpected challenges which Lundgren particularly relishes.

The day before the concert, Lundgren, Parisien and his Swedish compatriot Lars Danielsson met for the very first time. After a short rehearsal, all three of them had a strong feeling that luck was on their side. Jan Lundgren even uses euphoric expressions to describe it: “a trinity, divine providence!" And later, in the intimate setting of a small concert hall, where each and every listener is inevitably part of the process of creating the music, the magic of the new trio could really unfold. "Jazz is always about good melody, concise rhythm and strong composition," explains Lundgren. "Everyone brings their own personal imprint, starting as we do from such completely different musical backgrounds. And that's what makes it so exciting and thrilling. We enjoy immersing ourselves in each other's worlds – and creating new worlds in the process."

Lundgren, Parisien and Danielsson choose catchy tunes as the starting-point for their excursions together; there is an appealingly childlike sense of wonder, joy and discovery as these improvisations unfold. The opener "Glädjens Blomsters" (Flowers of Joy) is an old Swedish folk song; Emile Parisien's dark soprano sax gives it a feeling of melancholy that is truly touching. Lars Danielsson's hymn to his daughter "Asta" seems to take us to an echo-ey corridor full of harmonic vibrations. And then come a series of surprises, starting with the bassist introducing Parisien's "Preambule" with an emphatic introduction, and then the heart-warming "I Do", which Lundgren once wrote to accompany a stage play, and which the musicians find deft ways to illuminate. The pianist introduces "Schubertauster" in virtuoso romantic style  –  the tune is a homage to Franz Schubert composed by French accordionist Vincent Peirani.

Jan Lundgren owns a dog, a cute little Yorkshire Terrier/Chihuahua mongrel, and "A Dog called Jazze" has puppy-like liveliness and enthusiasm. The title track "Into The Night" is harmonically colourful and seems like it could be the soundtrack for Sweden’s traditional ‘Midsommar’ celebrations. Finally, Lars Danielsson has written a personal declaration of love for "Ystad", this little gem of a jazz festival, and the three musicians shower it with love, devotion and empathy.

The Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival will be held again in 2021, from 4 to 7 August. And once again, Jan Lundgren, Emile Parisien and Lars Danielsson will be getting together as a trio to offer the festival audience their exuberant musicianship, their wealth of experience and their simple enjoyment of being back together in this new group. The prospect, Lundgren says, makes him extremely contented: “I'm just so happy about the way this has turned out, and the fact that we can pick up again where we left off after this long pandemic break. I have the feeling luck is on my side for a second time!"

1 Glädjens Blomster (traditional) 04:23

2 Asta (Lars Danielsson) 05:10

3 Préambule (Emile Parisien) 09:34

4 I Do (Jan Lundgren) 04:49

5 Schubertauster ( Vincent Peirani)03:18

6 A Dog Named Jazze (Jan Lundgren) 04:48

7 Into the Night (Jan Lundgren) 06:46

8 Ystad (Lars Danielsson) 06:21

Jan Lundgren / piano

Emile Parisien / soprano saxophone

Lars Danielsson / bass

Recorded live in concert at Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival by Mattias Dalin (Eurosound AB), August 1, 2020

Mixed by Bo Savik, Jan Lundgren and Lars Danielsson at Tia Dia Studios, Mölnlycke, Sweden

Mastered by Bo Savik

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Lars Danielsson Liberetto - Cloudland (2021 ACT Music)

When it comes to delivering up music with dreamy melodies, dense atmospherics, and folk music conversational stylings, Lars Danielsson does not disappoint. The Swedish double bassist is joined on this new-school Euro-jazz session by pianist Grégory Privat, guitarist John Parricelli, drummer Magnus Öström and guest trumpeter Arve Henriksen, and clarinetist Kinan Azmeh. Sometimes, the music generates an engaging dialogue; other times, it ranges into daydream territory. But it always radiates a friendly warmth and music like a welcoming smile.

We’ll end this month’s column with a shout-out for some older music.

1. Vildmark 01:12

2. Lars Danielsson feat. Arve Henriksen & Arve Henriksen - Cloudland 04:34

3. The Fifth Grade 05:37

4. Nikita's Dream 04:40

5. Lars Danielsson feat. Arve Henriksen & Arve Henriksen - Tango Magnifique 03:53

6. Lars Danielsson feat. Kinan Azmeh & Kinan Azmeh - Desert of Catanga 06:17

7. River of Little 03:22

8. Lars Danielsson feat. Arve Henriksen & Arve Henriksen - Yes to You 03:35

9. Lars Danielsson feat. Kinan Azmeh & Kinan Azmeh - Intermezzo 01:58

10. Villstad 04:12

11. Lars Danielsson feat. Arve Henriksen & Kinan Azmeh & Arve Henriksen & Kinan Azmeh - Sacred Mind 05:02

12. Imagine Joao 03:41

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Larry Coryell & Philip Catherine - Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XI: The Last Call (February 2021 ACT Music)

The wheel has come full circle with the album “Last Call”, featuring the duo of Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine. This live recording from the Philharmonie in Berlin captures the culmination of an evening under the banner “Art of Duo” in Siggi Loch’s “Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic” series.

After four decades, it marks the two guitarists’ return to the scene of one of their very first major triumphs. In 1976 they appeared as part of the band 11th House at the Berliner Jazztage at the same venue, but it was the moment when just the two of them stepped forward and performed as a duo which the “Die Zeit”’s critic hailed as possibly the high point of the whole festival. It was a decisive step in what would become a highly successful collaboration.

Coryell and Catherine subsequently made two superb studio albums: “Twin House” (Atlantic, 1977), recorded in London, and the very fittingly named “Splendid” (Elektra, 78), recorded in Hamburg. Both of these LPs have definitely stood the test of time. Both also had the same producer, who credi-ted on the sleeve as “Siegfried E. Loch”. As he wrote to both the musicians in November 2016 on the 40th anniversary of the recording of “Twin House”: “I am pleased that we are going to be celebrating this music in the concert on 24 January 2017 in Berlin." On “Last Call” Coryell and Catherine play four num-bers, followed by first-time appearances of duos consisting of Philip Catherine and pianist Jan Lundgren and then of Larry Coryell with bassist Lars Danielsson, plus a valedictory jam on “Green Dolphin Street” with all four of these musicians plus trumpeter Paolo Fresu.

Coryell and Catherine, two “brilliant, mutually attuned musicians” as the liner note for “Twin House” describes them, were born less than six months apart during the Second World War. Texas-born Coryell and London-born Catherine have different musical heritages, but their affinity and above all their complementarity shone through every time they played together. When playing as part of larger units, there would always be at least 20 minutes when the pair would perform as a duo.

They toured extensively in both Europe and the Americas in the late 1970s. For example their work together brought them into a project with Charles Mingus near the end of the bassist’s life, and they also made a quartet album with Stéphane Grappelli and Niels-Henning Orsted-Pedersen. One particular highlight was their appearance at the inaugural Sao Paulo Jazz Festival in September 1978, when their performance was seen by a TV audience of 17 million. Catherine still laughs when he remem-bers the reason why he and Coryell became instant celebrities and could – briefly but literally! – stop traffic in Brazil: the duo had their TV slot immediately before the screening of the Muhammad Ali-Larry Spinks fight in Las Vegas.

The evening of 24 January 2017 found both guitarists on ebullient form, as can be heard right from the opening track. With Larry Coryell on acoustic guitar and Philip Catheri-ne on electric, they launch themselves once more in to the arpeggiated work-outs of “Miss Julie” – the opening track of “Twin House” – with a verve and energy which belies their years. There is a divine moment at the end of “Manha de Carnaval” when Coryell is picking out a series of perfectly placed hushed harmonics over the most delicate accompani-ment from Catherine. And later, in “Bag’s Groove”, Coryell’s duo with Lars Danielsson, the quotes from other tunes fly joy-ously from his fingers: everything from Denzil Best’s “Move” from the “Birth of the Cool” to the opening bassoon solo from Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring”.

And yet the palpable exuberance of this concert is now tinged with sadness: this was to be Larry Coryell’s very last appearance in a concert hall. Four weeks later, Coryell died in his sleep at the age of 73 after a two-night trio residency at the Iridium in New York. So what remains is the memory, and above all this last example of something very special indeed: what Siggi Loch once described as the “creative compatibility, the enthusiasm and mutual understanding” of two very great guitarists, Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine.

01 Ms. Julie (Larry Coryell) 7:14

Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine

02 Homecomings (Philip Catherine) 6:58

Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine

03 Manhã de Carnaval (Luiz Bonfá & Antônio Maria) 7:07

Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine

04 Jemin-Eye’n (Larry Coryell) 5:28

Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine

05 Embraceable You (George Gershwin) 4:54

Philip Catherine and Jan Lundgren

06 Ba gs’ Groove (Milt Jackson) 6:43

Larry Coryell and Lars Danielsson

07 Green Dolphin Street (Oscar Peterson) 9:31

Jam: Larry Coryell, Philip Catherine, Lars Danielsson, Jan

Lundgren and Paolo Fresu

Recorded live in concert by Klaus Scheuermann

at the Philharmonie Berlin (KMS), January 24, 2017

Mixed and mastered by Klaus Scheuermann

Larry Coryell guitar

Philip Catherine guitar

Jan Lundgren piano

Lars Danielsson bass

Paolo Fresu trumpet

In memory of Larry Coryell (Apri l 2, 1943 - February 19, 2017) his last concert

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Various Artists - Magic Moments 11 (ACT MUSIC 2018)

Presenting the 11th edition of ACT's popular Magic Moments series. This CD presents sixty-seven minutes of the best of current jazz. Thoughtful moments sit alongside pure joy and entertainment. With Michael Wollny, David Helbock, Vincent Peirani, Iiro Rantala, Joachim Kühn New Trio, Ida Sand, Lars Danielsson & Paolo Fresu et al.With ACT-releases of 2018: 01 David Helbock’s Random ControlAfrican Marketplace 02 Andreas Schaerer / Luciano Biondini / Kalle Kalima / Lucas NiggliPlanet Zumo 03 Jin JimHouse Of The King 04 Benjamin Schmid & Andreas M. HofmeirConcertino vom Lande - Beim Fernsehen 05 Laila BialiQueen Of Hearts 06 Lars Danielsson & Paolo FresuAmigos 07 Vincent Peirani / Living BeingEnzo 08 NESAhlam 09 TonbruketDig It To The End 10 Emile Parisien Quintet / Vincent Peirani / Michel PortalLe clown tueur de la fête forain...

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Michael Wollny, Nils Landgren, Ida Sand, David Helbock, Iiro Rantala, Jin Jim, Benjamin Schmid, Andreas M. Hofmeir, Laila Biali, Lars Danielsson, Paolo Fresu, Vincent Peirani, NES, Tonbruket, Emile Parisien, Michel Portal, Joachim Kühn, KUU!, Julian Wasserfuhr, Roman Wasserfuhr, Jörg Brinkmann, Andreas Schaerer, Kalle Kalima

1 African Marketplace ( Abdullah Ibrahim) 04:23

2 Planet Zumo ( Kalle Kalima) 03:43

3 House Of The King ( Jan Akkerman) 04:31

4 Concertino vom Lande - Beim Fernsehen ( Christof Dienz) 01:59

5 Queen Of Hearts ( Laila Biali) 04:55

6 Amigos ( Lars Danielsson) 02:50

7 Enzo ( Vincent Peirani) 04:27

8 Ahlam ( Nesrine Belmokh & Matthieu Saglio / Leïla Guinoun) 04:41

9 Dig It To The End ( Dan Berglund) 04:05

10 Le clown tueur de la fête foraine III ( Parisien, Touéry, Gélugne & Darrifourcq) 03:59

11 Barcelona - Wien ( Joachim Kühn) 03:50

12 Thank You Iceland ( Kalle Kalima, Frank Möbus & Christian Lillinger / Jelena Kulji?) 04:15

13 Hello Dave ( Michael Wollny) 04:06

14 I Have Nothing Left For You ( Ida Sand) 04:34

15 Cello Bello ( Julian & Roman Wasserfuhr) 04:08

16 Tears For Esbjörn ( Iiro Rantala) 06:01

Curated by Siggi Loch

Cover art by Jiri Geller: Sugar Happy, 2012

with the kind permission of the artist

Danielsson / Fresu - Summerwind (ACT MUSIC 2018)

In “Summerwind”, enchanting melodies flow with an instinctive and natural grace and elegance. They develop in long arcs which bring a sense of profundity and contemplation. In a world in constant danger of overheating, Danielsson’s and Fresu’s music is a fresh and soothing breeze.

Lars Danielsson / bass & cello

Paolo Fresu / trumpet & flugelhorn

1 Autumn Leaves ( Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer) 04:00

2 Saluto Dardamente ( Paolo Fresu) 02:53

3 Le Matin ( Lars Danielsson) 03:21

4 Stilla Storm ( Lars Danielsson) 02:55

5 Jag lyfter ögat mot himmelen ( Oskar Lindberg / trad. arranged by Lars Danielsson) 04:05

6 Un vestido y un amor ( Fito Páez) 03:53

7 Drexciya ( Paolo Fresu) 01:48

8 Dardusó ( Lars Danielsson & Paolo Fresu) 03:57

9 Stanna Tid ( Lars Danielsson & Paolo Fresu) 03:02

10 Sleep Safe And Warm ( Krzysztof Komeda) 04:24

11 April In Dardegna ( Paolo Fresu) 03:40

12 Amigos ( Lars Danielsson) 02:49

13 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme ( Johann Sebastian Bach / arranged by Lars Danielsson) 03:06

14 Dardodentro ( Paolo Fresu) 02:53

15 De La Solitude Mesurée ( Paolo Fresu) 02:34

Recorded at Nilento Studio, Gothenburg, May 14-15, 2018

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Lars Nilsson

Produced by Siggi Loch

Cover art by Olav Christopher Jenssen: Journal July 30th. 2011 / ACT Art Collection

Youn Sun Nah - essentials (3 CD Box) ACT MUSIC 2018

"This woman is a vocal miracle, absolutely awesome" - ZDF heute journal (DE) "One surprise after another, from a performer, who can turn anything into an art song." - The Times (GB) "One of the most beautiful voices of today's jazz." - Le Figaro (FR)The premium collector's edition of the three pioneering albums at a discounted price. She Moves On LentoSame Girl She Moves OnAn important step in a new musical direction, recorded in New York with an American band: pianist Jamie Saft, together with one of the most sought-after session musicians Brad Jones (bass) and Dan Rieser (drums) built the backing band for Youn Sun Nahs amazing singing. And a special guest on the guitar ensures the jazzy country and folk character of the album: Marc Ribot. In addition to her own compositions, "She Moves On" co...

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Youn Sun Nah / vocals, kalimba, music box, kazoo

Ulf Wakenius / guitars

Lars Danielsson / bass & cello

Vincent Peirani / accordion & accordina

Xavier Desandre-Navarre / percussion

Jamie Saft / Piano, keys

Brad Jones / Acoustic Bass

Dan Rieser / Drums

Marc Ribot / Electric & Acoustic Guitars

1 She Moves On ( ) 50:38

2 Lento ( ) 45:46

3 Same Girl ( ) 47:08

Prince in Jazz (A Jazz Tribute to Prince) WAGRAM MUSIC 2018

A compilation from some true Jazz icons performing covers of the adored songs of the legendary Prince

1 When Doves Cry (feat. Cassandra Wilson) 5:37

Bob Belden Project

2 Little Red Corvette 3:33

Heath Brandon

3 Kiss 5:16

Clotilde Rullaud

4 Strollin' (feat. Lars Danielsson & Jacob Karlzon) 3:35

Viktoria Tolstoy

5 Crazy You 3:57

Osunlade

6 Around the World in a Day 3:54

Ray Lema & Laurent de Wilde

7 Soft and Wet 3:01

N'Dambi

8 I Feel for You 5:42

Angela Galuppo

9 Cream 5:34

David Helbock

10 Nothing Compares 2 U 2:38

Heinz Sauer & Michael Wollny

11 The Question of U (feat. Holly Cole) 3:39

Bob Belden Project

12 1999 7:51

Bob Belden's Manhattan Rhythm Club

℗ 2018 Wagram Music

Lars Danielsson - Liberetto III (ACT MUSIC 2017)

Music must touch the emotions

For Lars Danielsson, that consummate craftsman of sound on both cello and bass, the power of music resides in melody. It is the heart from which everything else develops, and his Liberetto ensemble has stayed true to this principle again in its third album. The word 'Liberetto' which Danielsson coined for the name of the group also serves well as a descriptor of his art. 'Libretto' is a reference both to Western art music which is the source of his compositions, and to their lyrical, vocal character. But also hidden in the band's name is the Latin adjective 'liber' (free). That stands for improvisation, for how individuals can take lines and shapes and adapt them, but above all it refers to Danielsson's musical understanding which acknowledges no boundaries.

This third edition of “Liberetto” transcends more of those boundaries than ever before. The opening track of the album looks heavenward: “I wrote 'Agnus Dei' for my mother,” Danielsson explains. “She sang in a choir - as I did later too. The spirituality and the ceremony of liturgical music left their mark on me.” Following on from this gentle, almost classical hymn is “Lviv”, a tune which is very differently wired: it’s brisk, based on a simple poppish melodic hook and it has an uncommon sense of rhythmic forward propulsion. What follows is many-sided: “Sonata in Spain” the band toys with Spanish folklore, “Taxim By Night” has a waft of Turkish-Arabic scent, and “Gimbri Heart” has African charm and warmth. By contrast, “Mr Miller” is a touching ballad with a ‘Nordic Sound’ aesthetic.

All twelve tracks are compositions by Danielsson, and they sum up what 'Liberetto' is all about: through keeping structure and freedom in such a fine balance, the musical expression acquires an almost weightless sense of poise and easefulness. And binding it all together is the wonderful interaction of the musicians. Whether they are playing unison lines, solo-ing and accompanying, or engaging in interplay, the ball is generously and deftly passed from one player to another. 

“The band has developed massively since 2012”, reflects Danielsson. “We have played together so much, we all seem to have a sixth sense now. And that helped us to make the new album more varied and colourful, to take off in even more directions.” However, one member of the original quartet including guitarist John Parricelli and ex-e.s.t. drummer  Magnus Öström, is no longer there: Tigran, the pianist on both of the first albums. But it happened that Danielsson became aware of the extremely talented French pianist Grégory Privat. His origins are in the Caribbean island of Martinique and he also happens to be a member of the ACT family. Danielsson invited him to play and found straight away that they were on the same wavelength. “He is a fantastic addition. Grégory is a hugely gifted storyteller at the piano, with loads of rhythmic sensitivity, plus he brings a Creole element into our music. We are thrilled to have him with us.” 

As was the case for the first two “Liberetto” albums, there are some carefully selected guests, who bring their talents and energies to particular tracks: Sting’s guitarist Dominic Miller makes another appearance, as does trumpeter Mathias Eick with his inimitably rounded sound. Arve Henriksen takes the other trumpet parts - he was in the mix on the “Liberetto” debut album too. The striking oboe solo on “Da Salo” is played by Björn Bohlin of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, with whom Danielsson has been working recently, and finally there is the sensitivity and fair of oud player Hussam Aliwat. As a co-producer singer Cæcilie Norby supported Danielsson to make his musical visions come true.

“Lars Danielsson has a knack of forming great bands", Stuart Nicholson wrote in Jazzwise in 2014."He manages to realise the potential of his musicians in directions even they had not imagined.” With Liberetto III, he has done it again, and produced a beautifully constructed, and yet deeply felt album.

Lars Danielsson / double bass, cello, piano intro on 05 & 08, wah-wah cello & guembri on 09

Grégory Privat / piano

John Parricelli / guitars

Magnus Öström / drums & percussion

Guests:

Arve Henriksen / trumpet on 01, 02, 06, 09, voice on 06

Dominic Miller / acoustic guitar on 10

Hussam Aliwat / oud on 04 & 07

Björn Bohlin / english horn on 02, 03, 08 & oboe d'amore on 01

Mathias Eick / trumpet on 10

Music written by Lars Danielsson

Recorded and mixed by Bo Savik at Tia Dia Studios, Mölnlycke Sweden

Additional recording: Simon Danielsson & Michael Dahlvid

Mastered by Jan Erik Kongshaug at Rainbow Studio, Oslo, Norway

Piano tuning by Bengt Eriksson

Produced by Cæcilie Norby & Lars Danielsson

Rantala / Danielsson / Erskine - How Long Is Now? (2016) ACT MUSIC

Danielsson / Nesset / Lund - Sun Blowing (2016) ACT MUSIC

present

Danielsson / Nesset / Lund - Sun Blowing (2016)

By John Fordham / The Guardian

There’s a lot of inviting improv space in the harmonically free trio format of saxophone, bass and drums, but there’s also nowhere to hide. Only the most resourceful players have risked it (saxophonists Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, John Surman and latterly Mark Turner in the Fly trio have been frontrunners), but the trio of Norwegian saxist Marius Neset and Swedish bassist and drummer Lars Danielsson and Morten Lund joins the best. Formed out of an accidental meeting on a train in 2012, it’s another triumph for the prolific Neset, who often plays in structured settings but cuts enthrallingly loose here. He suggests both Rollins and Michael Brecker on the sinewy Little Jump. Danielsson and Lund open the lamenting Coltranesque title track with enthralling detail. 

There are shy soprano-sax tone-poems, memorable themes suggestive of Carla Bley and Charles Lloyd. It’s an unashamedly jazz-rooted conversation without electronics or pop hooks, but so spiritedly lyrical and dynamic that its contemporaneity is never in doubt.

1. Little Jump ( Lars Danielsson) 04:43

2. Sun Blowing ( Lars Danielsson) 04:11

3. Up North ( Morten Lund) 05:17

4. Salme ( Marius Neset) 08:58

5. olksong ( Lars Danielsson) 05:19

6. Evening Song For B ( Morten Lund) 04:23

7. Blå ( Lars Danielsson) 04:01

8. The Cost Of Living ( Don Grolnick)

Marius Neset / tenor saxophone

Lars Danielsson / bass

Morten Lund / drums

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