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Fredrik Nordstr?m: Big Band Stories

By Mark Corroto
February 28, 2024
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To describe this record as an intimate big band recording is not to state an oxymoron. Saxophonist, composer and arranger Fredrik Nordstr?m has taken this large-scale format (17 musicians) and made a very personal statement. Big Band Stories is a bit of a departure for the Swedish saxophonist best known for his work in quintet, octet and his Dolores Quartet which released Dolores: One (2021) and Dolores: Two (2021) on his own Bluenord Record label.

Nordstr?m did produce a previous big band outing, the two disc Vibb (Moserobie, 2007). Returning from that prior recording are saxophonist

Alberto Pinton

saxophone, baritone
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Alberto Pinton and bassist

Filip Augustson

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Filip Augustson. Among other superb musicians, we also hear Swedish stars Per "Texas" Johansson and pianist Torbj?rn Gulz. Nordstr?m was quoted in his previous large ensemble release, "music is supposed to be a living art, no matter if it's called jazz or anything else." Indeed, this music lives as Nordstr?m's arrangements give his compositions the required space to breathe. This is evident in each track. For instance, "See You At Babas" weaves Linnea Jonsson's trumpet, Agnes Darelid's trombone, and Augustson's bass solo through an exquisite and very delicate arrangement for such a large gathering. Same can be said for "Enyaw" with Johansson's clarinet and Pinton's baritone saxophone negotiating another tranquil arrangement. Nordstr?m's gift is his ability to leave space in this music for the solos to develop. "Everblue" presents a very sexy large ensemble sound that allows his tenor to take flight while gently bolstered by his backing band. While Nordstr?m solos on six tracks, he also gives generous attention to the skilled ensemble players assembled and maybe it's the generosity of the arrangements the is explanation of the intimacy.

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Track Listing

East Broadway Noodles; ENYAW; Another Mountain; Peaches; Epicenter; Everblue; Blubby; The Ferret; See You At Babas.

Personnel

Fredrik Nordstrom

saxophone, tenor

Per Texas Johansson

woodwinds

Alberto Pinton

saxophone, baritone

Hans Dyvik

trumpet

Nils Janson

trumpet

Tobias Wiklund

cornet

Filip Augustson

bass, acoustic

Sebastian ?gren

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Fredrik Nordstr?m: compositions, arrangements; Per "Texas" Johansson: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Robert Nordmark: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Alberto Pinton: bass clarinet; Hans Dyvik: flugelhorn; Nils Janson: flugelhorn; Tobias Wiklund: trumpet, flugelhorn: Linnea Jonsson: flugelhorn; Agnes Darelid: trombone; Dicken Hedrenius: trombone; Mats Agnelid: trombone; Niclas Rydh: bass trombone; Torbj?rn Gulz: piano;

Album information

Title: Big Band Stories | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Bluenord Records

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