Jazz Song of the Day

There are few modern jazz styles as distinctive as the atmospheric “Nordic Jazz,” and few artists who have contributed to that sound as much as tenor/soprano saxophonist Jan Garbarek. His use of space and reverb, combined with bent notes, created a plaintive sound that borders on sacred, especially on ballads. Taken at greater tempo, his bends sound more like squawks, his melodies are folk-like and his drum kit and percussion players favor world music rhythms. The result is a sense of unabashed joy and a unique feel that’s a far cry from syncopated swing. For your listening pleasure, revel in the mastery of Garbarek (pronounced Gar-Bah’-Rek, accent on the second syllable) and his group in their concert at Burghausen Wacker-Halle in Germany in 2006. Yes, you can listen to just one or two songs, but the whole concert is truly brilliant. For choice video viewing from an earlier period in his career, look on YouTube for the Jan Garbarek Group and “Molde Norwalk Concert 1982.”

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