Jonas Holgersson: Snick Snack (2011)

Mark Corroto

Senior Contributor since 1999

Mark misses his large dog Louie, but endeavors daily to find and listen to new and interesting sounds.

Recent articles (1,009 total)

Published: May 26, 2011

Swedish drummer Jonas Holgersson's trio releases its first recording of original music, its apparent appreciation of the jazz tradition balanced by the manifestation of a kind of composed stoicism that makes Snick Snackan unimpeachable session.

Holgersson has held the drum chair in bands led by both saxophonist Jonas Kullhammar Jonas Kullhammar
b.1978
saxophone and trumpeter Magnus Broo Magnus Broo
. This debut as leader features a classic saxophone trio with Karl-Martin Almqvist Karl-Martin Almqvist

saxophone and bassist Christian Spering. The title track kicks things off, with Holgersson playing a sparse groove on a minimal kit. This unadorned approach, carried throughout the session, makes for an eye-catching (as well as ear-grabbing) approach. By choosing this no-nonsense style, the melodies are forefront and very perceivable.

It's rare for a recording to conjure such visual information. On each track—best highlighted by the longest piece, "Danish Steel," at eight minutes—the music provides a clear optical reference. Each instrument is made readily perceptible, with Holgersson's mallet work, Almqvist moving breath into his soprano saxophone and Spering's tactile motion a credit to the recording engineers—and to Holgersson's sense of proportion.

Holgersson and Almqvist give a nod to John Coltrane John Coltrane
1926 - 1967
saxophone 's A Love Supreme (Impulse!, 1965) on "Yellow Duet," the pair signaling its knowledge and appreciation for a tailored and disciplined outward reach. Besides this Elvin Jones Elvin Jones
1927 - 2004
drums reference, Holgersson lays down three brief solo tracks—each quite minimal, accomplishing much with very little.