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The Reykjavik Big Band: Innri
It doesn't get much cooler than Iceland, where the remarkably talented Reyjkavik Big Band makes its home. According to the most recent available evidence, Innri is either the fifth or sixth album recorded by the RBB, which was formed in 1992 and is composed of professional musicians living and working in Iceland. All of the music on Innri was written by tenor saxophonist
Joel Palsson
saxophoneb.1972
Palsson's themes are intense, cerebral, often dark, sometimes ethereal, and clearly demanding, expressing jazz from a conspicuously northern (that is to say, wintry) point of view. There is some dissonance, times when musicality gives way to turmoil, but those moments are, thankfully, few and far between as Palsson, for the most part, chooses to press home the more customary elements of melody, harmony and rhythm, albeit from an inflexibly modern perspective (think
Maria Schneider
composer / conductor
Carla Bley
piano1938 - 2023
That stands to reason, as the band has performed under the guidance of such eminent composer / conductors as Schneider,
Frank Foster
saxophone1928 - 2011
Bill Holman
composer / conductor- 2024
Bob Mintzer
saxophoneb.1953
As Palsson favors trim, abrupt endings, the disparate themes unfold to some degree in the manner of a suite, one whose tempos and temperament encompass sufficient variety to keep the listener engaged and looking forward to the next bend in the road. While the names (of songs and personnel) may be unfamiliar (not to mention unpronounceable), Palsson's compositions honor established jazz criteria such as openness and improvisation, and it happens that he is also the band's most eloquent soloist. Each of the RBB's four trumpeters has at least one moment in the limelight, while alto saxophonist Sigorour Flosason has three, clarinetist Haukur Grondal one, trombonist Samuel Jon Samuelsson (who leads his own Icelandic ensemble) another. Palsson is impressive, the others competent, Grondal the most unruly and strident. However one appraises the music on Innri (and opinions may vary), it's gratifying to know that not only is there a big band in Reykjavik, Iceland, but that the ensemble is worthy of the label "world-class" as well. ">
Track Listing
Tjorn; Innri; Stuktur; Tusk; Yggur; Kellir; Surta; Kvabb; Hum; Hotel Bristol.
Personnel
Joel Palsson
saxophoneKjartan Valdemarsson: conductor, arranger, accordion, vibraphone; Joel Palsson: composer, tenor sax, bass clarinet, kalimba; Ivar Gudmundsson: trumpet, flugelhorn; Kjartan Hakonarson: trumpet, flugelhorn; Snorri Siguroarson: trumpet, flugelhorn; Ari Bragi Karason: trumpet, flugelhorn; Sigurour Flosason: alto, soprano sax, flute, alto flute, bass clarinet; Haukur Grondal: alto sax, clarinet, bass clarinet; Olafur Jonsson: tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet; Stefan S. Stefansson: baritone sax, alto flute; Einar Jonsson: trombone; Stefan Omar Jakobsson: trombone; Samuel Jon Samuelsson: trombone; David Bobroff: bass trombone; Eybor Gunnarsson: piano, Fender Rhodes; Davio Por Jonsson: Hammond organ; Gunnar Hrafnsson: acoustic, electric bass; Johann Hjorleifsson: drums, percussion; Einar Scheving: drums, percussion, vibraphone.
Album information
Title: Innri | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Self Produced
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