Jazz Articles about Torben Waldorff

Torben Waldorff: American Rock Beauty

by Raul d'Gama Rose
April 2, 2010

Danish composer/guitarist Torben Waldorff has crafted a plainly titled but memorable album in American Rock Beauty. Waldorff is an articulate and lyrical musician, which counts for a lot on an instrument that is prone to be used with effects that mask its organic beauty. American Rock Beauty is a sophisticated blend of American and European streams of music, from rollicking folk dance to the swing and swagger of jazz melded with burnished impressionism. Throughout, Waldorff shows himself to be a ...

Torben Waldorff: American Rock Beauty

by J Hunter
March 15, 2010

It's interesting to watch musicians approach the comfort zone. Some see it as something sacrosanct, a precious relic to be protected and preserved like antique china; others treat it like the family handball, never hesitating to pick it up and hurl it against the wall with all possible force. Danish guitarist Torben Waldorff takes a third route on American Rock Beauty, slipping inside the comfort zone and expanding it from within.

There's nothing initially threatening or offensive about ...

Torben Waldorff: American Rock Beauty

by Jerry D'Souza
February 24, 2010

Guitarist Torben Waldorff does not shy away from a challenge. He channels the unknown for germane ideas that he plumbs with resolute imagination. And it does not matter if inspiration comes on the path to invention or flies from the written note.

Waldorff's wrote the music for this CD with his band in mind. Having played together, he knew just where they could take the written note. Their communication is fertile and the end result is persuasive in ...

Torben Waldorff: American Rock Beauty

by Mark F. Turner
February 13, 2010

Capitalizing on the continued formula of a cohesive unit and compositions, centered not only around progressive musicianship but also melodic identity, American Rock Beauty further illuminates the dynamism of guitarist Torben Waldorff. Expanding on 2008's well-received Afterburn (ArtistShare), Waldorff confines himself to a stereotypical jazz idiom; his compositional ventures explore American rock, hard-hitting fusion, and poignant lyricism. His potent group continues to feature the pliant rhythm section of bassist Matt Clohesy, drummer Jon Wikan and formidable saxophonist ...

Torben Waldorff: American Rock Beauty

by Jakob Baekgaard
February 6, 2010

A record's title can be useful in giving a hint of the kind of music that can be found on the album. In the case of guitarist Torben Waldorff, American Rock Beauty reveals itself as a title that brings forth an entire musical poetic conversation. If the album is like a river flowing in many different directions, the water is the aesthetic and approach of rock. Even though there's no doubt that Waldorff is a jazz guitarist, ...

Torben Waldorff: Afterburn

by Jerry D'Souza
August 21, 2008

Over the course of his recordings, Torben Waldorff has shown his skills as a composer in addition to his undoubted accomplishments as a guitarist. Waldorff wrote six of the tunes here, in addition to one each from composer/arranger Maria Schneider, drummer Jon Wikan and saxophonist Joel Miller.

Waldorff and tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin work particularly well together. But the other musicians make compelling contributions also, and it is in that overall ambit that the CD comes up trumps ...

Torben Waldorff: Afterburn

by Michael P. Gladstone
July 13, 2008

For his sophomore effort, Danish guitarist/composer Torben Waldorff unleashes a strong album which gives his listeners more of the same and then some. Waldorff, who is now based out of Malmo, Sweden, had previously enjoyed a well-received album of a live performance, Brilliance (ArtistShare, 2007). On this studio-made album, Waldorff stays with the same formula but turns the heat up quite a bit.

The most influential catalysts on this session are provided by saxophonist Donny McCaslin (returning from ...