Jazz Articles about Harri Ihanus

About Harri Ihanus

Album Review

Harri Ihanus: Eye Opener

Read "Eye Opener" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
October 19, 2004

Eye Opener is a pleasant enough session of post-bop jazz by three Swedes and American tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi. On the other hand, nothing to become overly excited about.

Guitarist Harri Ihanus, the nominal leader, composed each of the album's nine selections, and therein lies the rub. The music is likable but seldom rises above that. The same can be said of the quartet, which is on the same page but has no singular quality that would induce one to ...

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Album Review

Harri Ihanus: Eye Opener

Read "Eye Opener" reviewed by Matthew Wuethrich

by Matthew Wuethrich
July 5, 2004

Swedish-Finnish guitarist Harri Ihanus took the backward route of discovery that many guitar players have. Sparked by rock and blues, he soon fell under the grandiose spell of McLaughlin, Metheny and Coryell, then naturally turned to Pass, Burrell, and horn players like Parker and Coltrane—the roots. And that's where he has stayed. His Imogena debut, Eye Opener, features nine original compositions. They are modest, loose structures that favor relaxed tempos and leave ample space for soloing.

Ihanus’ quartet ...