Rory Simmons (trumpet); Esben Tjaive (piano); Henrik Jensen (bass); Pete Ibbetson (drums).
(Review by Lance)
Bass player Henrik Jensen is no stranger to these pages. The Dane appeared several times at the Jazz Café with his Followed By Thirteen quartet. He has also shown up with Joy Ellis on several occasions at The Globe and elsewhere and, as an indication of his in-demand status, has appeared at Sage Gateshead with the Puppini Sisters - perhaps he will be with them when they return on April 25.
We've also covered several of his CDs which led to my anticipation of this, his latest, and I wasn't disappointed!
It is so cool and laid back that I too wanted to lay back and just wallow in the sound. Even the more uppish numbers had such a relaxed feel about them that I wasn't sure if I wanted a late night cocktail or a cup of cocoa - I settled for the former. A Mojita. Not, I hasten to add, one of your posh city centre jobs with mint leaves, mini umbrellas and gawd knows what else floating around and costing an arm and a leg. This was a 99p can from one of the lesser mutiple stores. The Bacardi could be vagually detected and it tipped the scales at 250ml/5%.
However, I digress!
The band!
Simmons has a great sound - hotter than Chet, cooler than Miles - perfect!
Tjaive, a fellow Dane who studied with Jensen at the Royal Academy, displays an appropriate affinity with his friend and the empathy between them is obvious.
Ibbetson slots in nicely, not in anyway obtrusive except when the composition demands it.
As for Jensen himself ... Denmark produced, arguably, the world's greatest jazz double bassist - no name needed - and it suffices to say that Henrik Jensen is in that league.
Henrik's compositions are from the heart - this album is a celebration of his aunt Jyta Peterson who recently passed away.
Also included is a dedication to his new born son - Four for a Boy - whilst Gentle Giant remembers his late friend and esteemed pianist, Paolo Losi.
BSH is quoted in the blurb as saying in a previous review - "This cosmopolitan line-up works superbly well".
It still does!
If you like your jazz soft but far from smooth then this is for you. It comes out on March 20 and, if you live in Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol or London you can probably pick one up at a gig before then. If, however, you live in one of jazz's more remote outposts such as Newcastle then you may have to order it at J.G.Windows in the Central Arcade or contribute to the downfall of the high street by ordering online via the usual suspects (+ postage).
Lance
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