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Sandviken Big Band: In the Name of Freedom
ByBe that as it may, it should be noted from the outset that the music itself, even though undoubtedly well-known to countless jazz fans here and abroad, is of the highest quality, and that the SBB, 41 years young when these concerts were presented, is at the top of its game throughout, inspired by the singular talents of guest artists Hakan Lewin (alto sax) and Johannes Landgren (organ), who served in 2005 as co-founders of the organization Music Against Violence. The concerts themselves were related to a project called "Research Through Interpretation" at Sweden's Goteborg University.
Ellington wrote half of the eight numbers on Disc One, Strayhorn three. The other is Kenny Graham's "Sunday." Disc Two contains only five tracks, two by Ellington ("Black and Tan Fantasy," "Cottontail"), Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge," Mercer Ellington's "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," and Juan Tizol's well-traveled "Caravan." Lewin fashions every alto solo save one, on Rob McConnell's breezy arrangement of "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," which finds alto Patric Engelbert soloing with pianist Niklas Bjarnehall and guitarist Goran Berencreutz. Lewin arranged the lyrical "Black and Tan Fantasy," co-arranged "Caravan" with Leif Hallden and "Sunday" with Landgren (who doesn't improvise in the usual sense of the word but uses the organ as a robust counterweight to the ensemble, implanting a few measures of "My Funny Valentine" into "Caravan"). Disc One's highlights include Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing," "Satin Doll," and "Mood Indigo" and Strayhorn's "Day Dream," "Lotus Blossom," and "UMMG" (Upper Manhattan Medical Group).
Enlivened no doubt by Lewin's fiery solos, Sandviken responds with a first-rate performance, ably supervised by conductor Ake Bjorange. An appetizing banquet for the many fans of Ellington and Strayhorn.
Track Listing
CD1: It Don’t Mean a Thing; Day Dream; Satin Doll; Mood Indigo; Sunday; I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues; Lotus Blossom; UMMG. CD2: Things Ain’ What They Used to Be; Black and Tan Fantasy; Chelsea Bridge; Cottontail; Caravan.
Personnel
Ake Bjorange: conductor; Mats Siggstedt: trumpet; Niklas Skoglund: trumpet; Magnus Mellberg: trumpet; Leif Fernqvist: trumpet; Joachim Tromark: trumpet; Adam Dahlberg: alto sax; Patrik Engelbert: alto sax; Patrik Lundstedt: tenor sax; Jan Larsson: tenor sax; Tommie Floreus: baritone sax; Per Haglind: trombone; Bjorn Agren: trombone; Krister Pettersson: trombone; Kurt Carlberg: bass trombone; Niklas Bjarnehall: piano; Goran Berenqreutz: guitar; Lars Jonshult: bass; Rolf Andersson: drums. Guest artists — Hakan Lewin: alto sax; Johannes Landgren: organ.
Album information
Title: In the Name of Freedom | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Imogena