Scheen Jazzorkester & Fredrik Ljungkvist: Framat!

Scandinavian large ensembles have much to teach their more conservative American counterparts about reinventing the jazz orchestra for the 21st century. Framåt! by Scheen Jazzorkester is a powerful affirmation of this idea. This Norwegian ensemble has consistently pushed the boundaries of large ensemble jazz, and Framåti—their tenth release since forming in 2010—is another compelling addition to their adventurous discography.

Preceding this album were two Thomas Johansson-led projects, As We See It (2019) and Frameworks (2014), both released on Clean Feed Records. The latter incorporates his dynamic quartet, Cortex. Like fellow Scandinavian powerhouses Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra, Per Texas Johansson's Orkester Omnitonal, Paal Nilssen-Love's Large Unit, and Mats Gustafsson's Fire! Orchestra. Scheen Jazzorkester boldly rejects tired traditions in favor of fresh, sonically rich approaches to orchestral jazz.

For Framåt!, the ensemble commissioned Swedish saxophonist and composer Fredrik Ljungkvist to write an extended suite of music. A seasoned member of groups such as Atomic, as well as a regular collaborator in Ken Vandermark's projects and a guest in many of the aforementioned orchestras, Ljungkvist brings deep compositional insight and improvisational finesse. This live performance, recorded in November 2023 at Skiensjazzdraget and Ibsenhuset in Skien, Norway, captures a vivid portrait of his artistry in dialogue with a finely tuned ensemble.

With a 13-piece lineup, Scheen Jazzorkester navigates Ljungkvist's compositions with remarkable ease—or more accurately, with a graceful simplicity that belies the depth of the music. Though capable of dense and knotty writing, Ljungkvist shapes these arrangements specifically for this ensemble, favoring clarity and purpose over excess.

The album opens with "Mörk," which begins with a low trombone rumble before brightening into a lush orchestral passage. Trumpeter Thomas Johansson delivers a lyrical solo, gently supported by Mattias Ståhl's shimmering vibraphone and Audun Kleive's delicately brushed drums. Ljungkvist uses the full breadth of the orchestra sparingly but effectively, ensuring each solo, duo or trio emerges organically within the flow of the music.

The title track, "Framåt!," is a masterclass in elegance, featuring a sublime duo between Ljungkvist and trombonist Mats Aleklint, their lines gracefully floating over a bed of twinkling vibraphone. On "Bågama och rörelsema," the first half features soft brushwork and the gentle interplay of clarinetists Line Bjørner Rosland and Ljungkvist, evoking a childlike melody. The second half expands this motif into a rich orchestral tapestry, echoing the earlier intimacy on a grander scale.

"Glossolalia" lives up to its name ("speaking in tongues"), opening with a chaotic collage of percussive objects, vocalized textures and swirling horn effects. This abstraction eventually gives way to a Dolphy-esque stomp, with Rosland's bass clarinet anchoring a vibrant horn parade. The emotional centerpiece, "Leif Håkan," is a heartfelt tribute to Ljungkvist's late father—a tender, poignant melody rendered with ineffable beauty on clarinet, bringing the suite to an emotional and lyrical peak.

With Framåt!, Scheen Jazzorkester and Fredrik Ljungkvist offer a shining example of what modern large ensemble jazz can be: inventive, emotionally rich and utterly unafraid to color outside the lines.

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