Frode Kjekstad Qrt: Stars Aligned

Talented Norwegian guitarist Frode Kjekstad discovered jazz in his early teens through the bebop genius of Charlie Parker and the refined touch of Joe Pass. He started formal jazz guitar studies at fifteen and moved to Oslo in 1994, where he immersed himself in the local scene and performed with legends like Johnny Griffin, Frank Foster, and Diane Schuur as part of the acclaimed Sandvika Storband. Today, he balances freelancing, composing, and teaching, releasing albums that fuse hard bop traditions with fresh, contemporary ideas. Joining him on tenor saxophone is Eric Alexander, born in Illinois, who shifted from classical alto studies at Indiana University to become a dominant force in modern jazz.

Alexander has led more than twenty albums and contributed to over three hundred others alongside giants such as Ron Carter, Cedar Walton, and Harold Mabern. His commanding tone, impeccable technique, and profound storytelling place him among the very strongest modern jazz saxophonists active today.

British Hammond organist Roy Powell pursued classical training and composition at the Royal Northern College of Music and evolved into a versatile fusion innovator through collaborations with Arild Andersen, Dave Liebman, and Anthony Braxton. German drummer Frederik Villmow, who has worked with Chris Potter and Vince Mendoza among others, provides the quartet's crisp, driving pulse.

Stars Aligned captures these four musicians in exceptional form, delivering a vibrant hard bop session laced with soul- jazz grooves, tight interplay, and fearless improvisation. The title perfectly captures the serendipitous meeting of their talents across nine original compositions—mostly by Kjekstad—that blend memorable heads, extended solos, and Powell's thick organ bass lines. No conventional double bass is required, which creates an intimate, organ-trio-like compactness and warmth throughout. Kjekstad's writing shines with strong, hooky motifs that open up rich harmonic territory and invite inspired individual statements.

The album launches strongly with "The Phineas Trane," a punchy up-tempo swinger with passionately executed unison choruses paying tribute to Phineas Newborn, Jr.. and John Coltrane; Alexander storms in with fierce authority, his warm yet razor-sharp tone navigating the changes with total command, while Kjekstad blazes forward with sizzling, high-velocity lead lines. This segues naturally into the buoyant waltz "Open Ocean," where Kjekstad's elegant, flowing guitar lines soar over Powell's swirling, atmospheric organ. Things heat up again with "Bonebreaker," a funky-swing burner featuring traded fours and Powell's Latin-tinged Hammond grit.

The seductive ballad "Moon Song" slows things down beautifully, with Villmow's delicate brushwork cradling Alexander's lyrical, breathy explorations—his phrasing here recalls Sonny Rollins' narrative depth while injecting a distinctly modern edge that sets him apart.

The title track explodes as a fast, blistering blues, Kjekstad's angular guitar lines locking perfectly with Alexander's scorching runs. The closer "Jingles" wraps everything in urgent, call-and-response intensity over a seething groove launched by the leader's lightning-fast improvising.

This is straight-ahead jazz firing on all cylinders: flawless execution, relentless swing, and an infectious joy that carries from first note to last. The quartet's chemistry is palpable—every solo escalates with logic and fire, the grooves lock in tight, and the energy never flags. Alexander's towering presence elevates the entire date; his blend of deep tradition and inventive daring makes a compelling case for him as one of the leading tenor saxophonists of our time. Stars Aligned delivers unadulterated pleasure and ranks among the most satisfying and rewarding straight-ahead jazz records to emerge in recent years.