Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Nordic Connect: Flurry

181

Nordic Connect: Flurry

By

Sign in to view read count
Nordic Connect: Flurry
The word "mainstream" has come to have virtually no meaning except perhaps that a regular rhythmic pulse of some kind (not necessarily "swinging") can be felt. In this respect, Flurry is a mainstream album, but from every other viewpoint, it is as adventurous as they come.

That the band's name, Nordic Connect, implies a Scandinavian connection is actually somewhat of a distraction from the music in that expectations of a cool, crisp, expansive and somber kind of music are simply, for the most part, not fulfilled.

Rather, the music is sumptuous and warm, with lots of gold, orange and yellow coloring in the images that are brought forth, with a feeling of personal connection and optimism that is very strong. Flurry is an invitation to smile and relax, but not by being saccharine, since there is almost always an undertone of "happy-sadness," as Ingrid Jensen calls it. This added ingredient creates a layer of complexity and poignancy that draws the listener in.

Ethnicity aside, the music's humanity comes from the deep connections between the musicians. The band's core consists of Ingrid Jensen (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Christine Jensen (alto and soprano saxophone) who are Canadian-born sisters, while Swedish pianist Maggi Olin is a Berklee College of Music schoolmate of Ingrid's from twenty years ago. Christine introduced drummer Jon Wikan to Ingrid and they ultimately married, while bassist Matthias Welin met Ingrid in Olin's band in Sweden.

While the nominal leader of Nordic Connect is Ingrid Jensen, since it was she who had the desire to bring her sister and Olin together, the compositional contributions are shared among the three women, and the band feels more like a cooperative. This shared identity is very strong regardless of who composed a particular piece.

The compositions were conceived as open-ended sketches, and the arrangements developed over time as the band played together. The thematic declamations evolve out a piece's opening strains, while the solos are logical extensions and outgrowths of the mood that has been set up. While each piece has its own mood and groove, they all share the method of organic development that tells a story, leading the listener through a clear arc of development and resolution.

Ingrid Jensen's name recognition has increased through her work in Maria Schneider's Orchestra, and one cannot help but hear a connection of musical outlook between them. Also, the two Jensens many times play lines in unison, blending together and creating a new sonority that is neither brass nor reed.

ArtistShare continues to create and support deeply satisfying and accessible music, of which Flurry is a fine example.

Visit Ingrid Jensen, Christine Jensen, Maggi Olin and Jon Wikan on the web.

Track Listing

Flurry; Sweet Adelphi; Things I Love; Sweet Dream; Garden Hour; Seascape; Seafever; Cowboy; Breathe/Quadr.

Personnel

Ingrid Jensen: trumpet, flugelhorn, effects; Christine Jensen: alto and soprano saxophones; Maggi Olin: piano, Fender Rhodes; Jon Wikan: drums, cajon, percussion; Mattias Welin: bass.

Album information

Title: Flurry | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: ArtistShare

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.