Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Kurt Jarnberg: Down Memory Lane 2

Kurt Jarnberg: Down Memory Lane 2

By Jack Bowers
November 2, 2010
View read count

This two-CD (mostly) studio set features Swedish trombonist/trumpeter Kurt Jarnberg's quintet dates from 1966-68, the years in which the group was active. After successful appearances at the Talinn and Pori Jazz Festivals, the quintet was forced to dissolve, Jarnberg writes, owing to "lack of jobs." That's a shame, as these recordings showcase a talented and hard-swinging group of bop-oriented musicians who deserved a better fate.

Tenor saxophonist Roland Keijser shares the frontline with Jarnberg, while pianist Thomas Jutterstrom, bassist Curt Andersson and drummer Leif "Gus" Dalhberg keep the rhythm cooking. Keijser is a

Dexter Gordon

saxophone, tenor
1923 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Dexter Gordon/

Lucky Thompson

saxophone
1924 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Lucky Thompson/

Charlie Rouse

saxophone, tenor
1924 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Rouse disciple, which means there's seldom a dull or wasted moment whenever he solos. Jarnberg echoes

J.J. Johnson

trombone
1924 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">J.J. Johnson on trombone, and his trumpet solos embody more than a hint of the great

Clifford Brown

trumpet
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Clifford Brown. As for the music (all but one track, Keisjer's "Strovtur," was arranged by Jarnberg), it is bright and accessible, even though at times unavoidably derivative (

Dave Brubeck

piano
1920 - 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Brubeck, for example, was clearly the impetus behind Jarnberg's "Kossan I Hagen," which appears on both discs, and "Tango Jaaco" mirrors

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver's "Blues March").

The last five tracks on disc one were written by Americans:

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's fast-moving "Fifth House,"

Dizzy Gillespie

trumpet
1917 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Dizzy Gillespie's savory "Juicy Lucy,"

Fats Navarro

trumpet
1923 - 1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Fats Navarro's lyrical "Stop,"

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson's boppish "Serenity" and

Charles Lloyd

saxophone
b.1938

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Lloyd's modal "Third Floor Richard," which the quintet reprises on disc two. Leroy Anderson is there as well, with his lovely "Serenata," as are

Jimmy Heath

saxophone, tenor
1926 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Heath ("Project S"),

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey/

Benny Golson

saxophone, tenor
1929 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Golson ("La Divorcee de Leo Fall"), Jimmy Van Heusen ("Like Someone in Love") and Billy Reid ("I'll Close My Eyes"). Besides "Kossan I Hagen" and "Tango Jaaco," Jarnberg wrote "Nahkainen," "Fats and Tadd" and "Mr. Hemo." For those keeping score, Jarnberg plays trumpet on ten selections (including the first six on disc two), trombone on the other nine.

As noted, it's a pity Jarnberg's group couldn't have stayed together longer, as it shows considerable promise on these almost-forgotten sessions. Keijser is a capable improviser, as are pianist Jutterstrom and the leader, while the group as a whole is about as well-balanced as any European quintet for its day. As to sound quality, disc one is generally acceptable, reminiscent at times of Blue Note or Prestige albums from the '50s or '60s. disc two is more problematic, with some distortion and wide swings in volume and sound starting with track three, "Serenata" and continuing through the sixth, a second version of "Third Floor Richard," which were apparently recorded in concert. Tasteful jazz from Swedes who should have been more widely known and appreciated.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

CD1: Nahkainen; Fats and Tadd; Kossan I Hagen; Why Do I Love You; Tango Jaaco; Fifth House; Juicy Lucy; Stop; Serenity; Third Floor Richard. CD2: I'll Close My Eyes; Strovtur; Serenata; La Divorcee de Leo Fall; Project S; Third Floor Richard; Mr. Hemo; Like Someone in Love; Kossan I Hagen.

Personnel

Kurt Jarnberg

trombone

Kurt Jarnberg: composer, arranger, trumpet, trombone; Roland Keijser: tenor saxophone; Thomas Jutterstrom: piano; Curt Andersson: bass; Leif "Gus" Dahlberg: drums.

Album information

Title: Down Memory Lane 2 | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Apex
< Previous

World of Thought
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.