Just as Sweden was in the early part of the 1950s, in later years the epicentre of Scandinavian jazz swung, and I use the word advisedly, to Denmark and, in particular, Copenhagen.
The Jazzhuis Montmartre was for many years continental Europe's counterpart to Birdland or Ronnie Scott's and provided regular gigs for expat American jazzmen such as Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Ben Webster, Brew Moore, Bud Powell and many more.
Time has taken its toll on those giants who framed the structure of modern jazz - those prophets without honour in their own country - but, nevertheless, Denmark is still a player albeit perhaps not to the extent it was in days of yore but which country/capital is?
This superb album by a 33 year-old Hungarian sax player who made his home in the Danish capital after winning awards in Hungary and placing high in the Montreux International Jazz Saxophone Competition may go someway to redress the balance.
To put it simply, Bolla can and could hold his own with giants past, present and, I'm sure, future. He has that beautiful tone - fatter than Lester, thinner than Ben - a sound that for me is what a tenor sax should sound like. Not that this is some retro take - when the occasion demands it he's up there in sopranino territory - he's as modern as modern is whilst still retaining a grasp of the whole picture.
Needless to say, the trio are also top notch providing support and solos to match the leader. American drummer Drummond drives it along, Lakotas is inspired and Franck, although actually Swedish, upholds Denmark's reputation for producing great bassists.
The material has five Bolla originals along with Strayhorn's Chelsea Bridge, Monk's We See, J. J. Johnson's Lament and (my favourite) Ellis Marsalis' Swingin' at the Haven.
Interesting to see if the jazz mags pick up on this one - they should do and start counting stars - Lance
Available in UK on Feb 22 (Stunt Records - CD or vinyl).
No comments :
Post a Comment