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Ekdahl / Bagge Big Band: New Thing
ByPutting its best foot forward from the outset, the ensemble "Wilkommen"s its listeners with Ekdahl's clever arrangement of the Kander and Ebb showstopper from the Broadway smash Cabaret, interlacing snug section work with animated solos by Bagge and trumpeter Jonne Bentlov. Soprano Johan Christoffersson, trumpeter Nils Janson and Bagge are in top form on the pianist's vigorous "Ask Me," as are Bagge, alto Per Johansson and trombonist Peter Fredriksson on Ekdahl's rocking, Gospel-framed "Let's Hook Up!" The tempo slows and the mood softens on the second of Ekdahl's four exemplary originals, "Waltz for Walt," from which tenor saxophonist Linus Lindblom wrests every measure of warmth and emotion, as does the band as a unit.
Ekdahl's "Three Colours," which follows, is another well-drawn, meditative theme with lustrous solos by Bentlov and Johansson, prefacing baritone saxophonist Fredrik Lindborg's fast-moving "Oriental Express," which rushes earnestly forward behind incisive solos by the composer and trombonist Kristian Persson and forceful timekeeping by Ekdahl. Bagge composed the album's title song, a charming pastorale on which he and Lindblom share solo honors, Ekdahl the ardent ballad "Before You Leave," which showcases two more perceptive soloists, tenor Robert Nordmark and trumpeter Emil Strandberg. The album closes on yet another high note with bassist Martin Sjostedt's darting "Black Swan," which gives every section of the band a spirited workout as a prelude to bright and enterprising solos by Nordmark, Ekdahl and trumpeter Karl Orlandersson.
For the past four years, the Ekdahl / Bagge Band has been performing monthly at the Scala Theatre in Stockholm. Fortunate are those who live in the area and have the means to see and hear this superb ensemble in person. As for the rest of us, we now at least have aural evidence of its power and proficiency. A New Thing, it's true, but one that is nonetheless welcome and appreciated.
Track Listing
Wilkommen; Ask Me; Let’s Hook Up!; Waltz for Walt; Three Colours; Oriental Express; New Thing; Before You Leave; Black Swan.
Personnel
Per Ekdahl
drumsKarl Olandersson: trumpet; Nils Janson: trumpet; Elin Andersson: trumpet; Jonne Bentlov: trumpet; Emil Standberg: trumpet; Per “Ruskrask” Johansson: alto sax; Johan Christoffersson: alto sax; Robert Nordmark: tenor sax; Linus Lindblom: tenor sax; Fredrik Lindborg: baritone sax; Kristian Persson: trombone; Magnus Wiklund: trombone; Peter Fredriksson: trombone; Karl Frid: trombone; Kristoffer Siggstedt: bass trombone; Carl Bagge: piano; Martin Sjostedt: bass; Per Ekdahl: drums.
Album information
Title: New Thing | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced
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