(ECM 379 3906) (ACT 9577-2) The highly distinctive French drummer who has left his mark on the recordings of Peter Gabriel and Sting among others is building a strong catalogue of approachable jazz albums. He has recently switched independent German… Read More ›
Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, UK 16-03-2014 Of course there is always more to music than just the notes and chords and beat and rhythm. There is the effect that all those audio-physical phenomena have upon the listener – the body, the… Read More ›
(ECM 376 0239) So, the Norwegian pianist has made some changes for this one. Out goes the acoustic grand piano and in come vintage synths from Korg and Farfisa, all fed through distortion pedals with the setting at what sounds… Read More ›
Manu Katché (ECM 370 9456) The drummer’s fourth album for ECM opens with just his characteristic playing: easy, open, with a deeply musical groove, a steady high-hat holding the pace while he creates lines with a combination of snare, bass… Read More ›
CBSO Centre, Birmingham UK 23-03-2012 There are times during a Tord Gustavsen concert when I notice I have been holding my breath for a while. It’s partly the feeling that my breathing might be audible over a stroked piano key… Read More ›
The Well (ECM 278 5896) The Norwegian pianist’s fifth album for ECM returns to a pure instrumental format, and develops further the work he did with this band on tour after the release of its predecessor, the partly sung Restored,… Read More ›
CBSO Centre, Birmingham, UK 22-10-2011 After the Harmonic Festival which opened Birmingham’s autumn jazz season with nearly every player feeding acoustic sounds through masses of electronic processing, here was a concert in which not only were the instruments not plugged… Read More ›
Skala (ECM 274 3228) The Norwegian trumpeter who started out in Jaga Jazzist , has always been at the pop end of jazz. He made increased solo impact with his first album, The Door, and as a member of other… Read More ›
Blissful Ignorance (Edition Records EDN1025) What an absolute joy this trio disc is. Tore Brunborg, the Norwegian saxophonist, John Taylor, the British pianist, and Thomas Stronen, the Norwegian drummer, together for the first time in a recording studio, and striking… Read More ›
Edition Records, started by pianist Dave Stapleton and photographer Tim Dickeson a mere two and a half years ago, really is expanding fast. New signings just announced are: Meadow, a trio of , wait for it, John Taylor… Read More ›
Mats Eilertsen: Radio Yonder (Hubro CD2051) The double bass player was in Birmingham late last year playing in the band of Tord Gustavsen, as was the saxophonist here, Tore Brunborg. The quartet is completed by Thomas T Dahl on guitar… Read More ›
Ketil Bjornstad/Jon Christensen/Tore Brunborg: Remembrance (ECM 273 2490) The title says a lot – 11 pieces called Remembrance I to Remembrance XI, all linked by graceful, contemplative tunes and graceful, contemplative playing. But while the act of remembering might have… Read More ›
Manu Katche: Third Round (ECM 273 2131) The French drummer’s third album for ECM and another new band. This time he brings in a fellow Sting band member, Jason Rebello, on piano, Pino Palladino on bass guitar and Tore Brunborg… Read More ›
Tord Gustavsen talks to thejazzbreakfast – see Across the table How Tord starts the day – see Jazz breakfasts CBSO Centre, Birmingham UK 17-10-09 When Miles Davis was recording his Sketches of Spain album with Gil Evans, he reportedly said… Read More ›
Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen has, in his own quiet and very special way, built up a great following with his trio, making three albums for the ECM label and touring regularly to perform the music from them. He likes to… Read More ›
Tord Gustavsen talks to thejazzbreakfast – see Across the table How Tord starts the day – see Jazz breakfasts Tord Gustavsen Ensemble: Restored, Returned (ECM 179 8987) The Norwegian pianist has been special from the start – the three trio discs he… Read More ›
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