Showing posts with label Rune Gustafsson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rune Gustafsson. Show all posts

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Arne Domnerus & Rune Gustafsson - Sketches of Standards

Styles: Bop
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:21
Size: 131,3 MB
Scans: Front

(5:37)  1. Blowing in the wind
(4:11)  2. I'm beginning to see the light
(4:50)  3. Jazz me blues
(6:25)  4. Mean to me
(5:07)  5. Here's that rainy day
(3:49)  6. Autumn leaves
(3:23)  7. Hymn to freedom
(3:23)  8. It don't mean a thing
(5:06)  9. Mood indigo
(3:04) 10. I've got it bad
(3:33) 11. Sweet Lorraine
(4:39) 12. Don't get around much anymore
(4:09) 13. Is God a three letter word for love?

Swedish-born saxophonist Arne Domnérus looms large in the annals of European jazz -- his breakthrough performance at the Paris Jazz Fair of 1949 is widely cited as the tipping point of the Scandinavian bop movement. Born in Stockholm on December 20, 1924, Domnérus studied clarinet as a child and made his professional debut during the early '40s, playing alto sax in popular dance bands led by Lulle Ellboj and Simon Brehm. By 1942 he led his own group and made his recorded debut in 1945, honing an urbane, sophisticated style that nevertheless possessed an urgency often absent from the cool, remote tone often associated with Swedish jazz. American icons Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were both in attendance for Domnérus 1949 Paris festival gig, a performance which served notice that players of European descent could offer their own authoritative interpretations of music largely considered an African-American phenomenon -- Parker was so impressed that he signed Domnérus for the Scandinavian tour he mounted a year later. Throughout the '50s Domnérus headlined the Stockholm jazz club Nalen, often appearing alongside trumpeter Rolf Ericson and baritone saxophonist Lars Gullin (who both turn up in the 1952 short film Arne Domnérus Spelar). Domnérus also joined Stockholm locals including pianist Bengt Hallberg for a landmark 1953 Swedish tour in support of American trumpeters Clifford Brown and Quincy Jones. From 1956 to 1965 Domnérus served as a member of Harry Arnold's Swedish Radio Big Band, continuing on with its successor Radiojazzgruppen through 1978 -- concurrently he wrote for television and films, most notably scoring 1966's Nattlek, a film produced by Mai Zetterling and based on her own novel. Domnérus' 1977 LP Jazz at the Pawnshop proved an unprecedented hit, selling more than half a million copies upon its original release -- a year later, he returned with Duets for Duke, a collaboration with Hallberg that captures both men at the zenith of their artistry. While remaining true to his bop roots, Domnérus cited traditional Scandinavian folk music as a growing influence throughout the later chapters of his career, and from the '70s on he regularly performed live in churches, inspired by Duke Ellington's own sacred concerts. He also toured the U.S. and Japan, and recorded with American notables including Clark Terry, James Moody and Jimmy Rowles. After several years in poor health, Domnérus died in Stockholm on September 2, 2008 at the age of 83.

Rune Gustafsson - Heavily inspired by generations of blurry-toned jazz guitar maestros such as Jimmy Raney, Jim Hall, and Tal Farlow, this Swedish artist went on to compose critically acclaimed film soundtracks as well as pick and strum. The Swedish music scene in general is where documentation of Rune Gustafsson is most prevalent, his discography on Sonet, Metronome, and other labels even including a tribute to soul genius Stevie Wonder. The guitarist began performing folk music as a young teen, apparently under considerable prodding from an uncle who was already engaged in the same kind of activity. Gustafsson had evolved to playing jazz on stages in the early '50s, his bandleaders including Bert Dahlander, Putte Wickman, Hacke Bjorksten, and Lars Gullin. When profiled in Leonard Feather's Encyclopedia of Jazz in the '70s, Gustafsson talked about his ambitions in composing and arranging concert music, a promise he certainly made good on in the ensuing years. He also expanded his instrumental arsenal for some of these projects, recording on the banjo and the celeste, among other unusual axes. His film credits include the 1992 Ingmar Bergman release with the English title of Sunday's Children.

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Arne Domnérus - Memories of You Disc 1, Disc 2

Album: Memories of You Disc 1

Styles: Saxophone And Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:23
Size: 129,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:52)  1. Poor Butterfly
(4:10)  2. Memories of You
(9:07)  3. Take the A-Train
(5:39)  4. Blowing in the Wind
(9:24)  5. Lady, be Good!
(8:07)  6. Confessin' (That I Love You)
(3:22)  7. It Don't Mean a Thing
(3:04)  8. I've Got It Bad
(7:03)  9. Jeep's Blues
(2:30) 10. Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

Album: Memories of You Disc 2

Time: 49:24
Size: 113,9 MB

(6:57)  1. Things Ain't What They Used to Be
(3:23)  2. Hymn to Freedom
(2:34)  3. The Midnight Sun Will Never Set
(3:48)  4. Autum Leaves
(7:04)  5. Take 5
(4:50)  6. Jazz Me Blues
(4:04)  7. Lush Life
(4:05)  8. Is God a Three Letter Word for Love?
(3:12)  9. The Fable of a Fool
(3:00) 10. Hallelujah
(3:07) 11. That Old Black Magic
(3:15) 12. Out of Nowhere

With the death of Arne Domnerus, at the age of 83, on September 2, 2008, a great and all-pervading light went out on the Swedish jazz scene. "Dompan," as he was universally known in his homeland, started out playing Benny Goodman-influenced clarinet in a Stockholm college band in his teens, graduated to alto saxophone in diverse, long forgotten Swedish dance orchestras, then played in the Swedish jazz band that took the 1949 Paris jazz festival by storm. Later that year he cut his first records as leader for Metronome and the following year led the band that opened on Charlie Parker's tour of Sweden. He made an epic series of records with visiting Americans James Moody, Zoot Sims, George Wallington, Clifford Brown, Art Farmer and Quincy Jones. He played in Harry Arnold's Swedish Radio Big Band from 1956 to 1965, and then took over the leadership when it was reformed as a smaller outfit from 1966-1978. Though at the same time, he was always careful to keep one foot firmly in the world of more commercial music. He cut the first Swedish recording of "Rock Around The Clock," with Gunnar "Siljabloo" Nilson handling the vocals, took part in Dixieland sessions and backed a good many pop singers. In his very Swedish, unassuming way, he said he developed his own style because he couldn't hope to play like his idols, Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges and, of course, Bird. 

This double CD tribute compilation features Domnerus' later recordings. It includes tracks from the classic 1977 album, Jazz at the Pawnshop, from the 1990s albums Sketches of Standards and Live is Life, (both on Proprius Records), plus four tracks from Svenska Jazzklassiker (Naxos Nostalgia), an exercise in nostalgia, featuring rather cheesy 1950s arrangements. There is also a solitary inclusion from a 1974 album, Antiphone Blues (Proprius) of his haunting rendition of the old Negro spiritual "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," backed by Gustaf Sjokvist on organ. The Pawnshop tracks are the standouts as straight-ahead jazz content, but Domnerus was also capable of transcending the most unpromising material. One example featured here is his total transformation of the hoary old Bob Dylan folk revival anthem "Blowing in the Wind" which, with the admirable Rune Gustafsson on guitar, is transformed into something of a mini masterpiece. Unfortunately, Dompan was also capable of pretension. His overblown version of his old idol Benny Carter's "The Fable of a Fool," positively drips with sentiment, replete with saccharin string and harp accompaniment. 
~ Chris Mosey https://www.allaboutjazz.com/memories-of-you-arne-domnerus-proprius-review-by-chris-mosey.php

Personnel: Arne Domnerus: alto sax, alto clarinet; Lars Erstrand: vibes; Jan Lundgren: piano; Hans Backenroth: bass; Rasmus Kihlberg: drums; Bengt Hallberg: piano; Georg Riedel: bass; Egil Johansen: drums; Rune Gustafsson: guitar; Gustaf Sjokvist: organ; Gunnar Svensson: piano; Yngve Akerberg: bass; Jack Noren: drums; Rolf Ericson: trumpet


Saturday, June 22, 2019

Arne Domnérus - Happy Together! Disc 1 And Disc 2

 Album: Happy Together! Disc 1

Styles: Saxophone And Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:08
Size: 99,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:46)  1. Fine and Dandy
(8:43)  2. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)
(6:56)  3. That Old Black Magic
(6:39)  4. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
(6:30)  5. I Have the Feeling That I Have Been Here Before
(8:32)  6. Moanin'

Album: Happy Together! Disc 2

Time: 45:28
Size: 104,9 MB

(8:46)  1. Broadway
(8:37)  2. Topsy
(6:15)  3. Barney Goin' Easy
(5:00)  4. Move
(5:40)  5. Three and One
(5:22)  6. Don't You Know I Care
(5:45)  7. S.A.S.

A pair of major Swedish veterans (clarinetist Putte Wickman and altoist Arne Domnerus) join forces with the talented young pianist Jan Lundgren, guitarist Rune Gustafsson, bassist Jesper Lundgaard and drummer Aage Tanggaard to perform two CDs full of straight-ahead music. Although Wickman and Domnerus (who switches to clarinet on "Barney Goin' Easy") sound fine during these live performances (which have announcements in Swedish), the emphasis is generally on slower tempos, and the interpretations are not as fiery or competitive as one might hope. Pleasing but not essential music, with some of the brighter moments occurring on "Fine and Dandy," "Moanin'," "Broadway" and "Move." ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/happy-together%21-mw0001004133

Personnel: Putte Wickman - Clarinet; Arne Domnerus - Saxophone; Jan Lundgren - Piano; Rune Gustafsson - Guitar;  Jesper Lundgaard -Bass;  Aage Tanggaard - Drums.


Friday, March 16, 2018

Arne Domnérus Sextet - In Concert w. B Hallberg & Rolf Ericson

Styles: Saxophone And Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1978
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:41
Size: 123,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:13)  1. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
(8:16)  2. The Jeep Is Jumpin'
(5:58)  3. In A Mellow Tone
(4:24)  4. Isfahan
(5:42)  5. Walz-A-Nova
(4:38)  6. Visa Från Utanmyra
(5:37)  7. You've Changed
(8:16)  8. Well, You Needn't
(5:31)  9. Stoney Lonesome

Any jazz record that starts out with a bluesed-out bass solo by Georg Reidel as this one does and nonchalantly slips into Duke Ellington's "Things ain't What They Used to Be" has got my vote. This vault recording of Arne Domnérus' Stockholm sextet is primarily Ellingtonian in flavor, but its raw immediacy and rich color palette make it more than just a neo-trad set. For one, the way Reidel is used is positively original, opening several tunes solo, establishing a rootsy blues feel, and then bringing in the band, piano first (Hallberg). It's Hallberg who shines on Ellington's "Isfahan," with Hallberg taking the melodic line and fusing it to an inverted harmonic pattern in counterpoint. He stretches his chords, making for the resonance of numerous pitches. When the band enters on the last half, it's in staggered harmony, flutes first, then saxes playing an easy swing blues throughout. Another strange arrangement is Monk's "Well You Needn't" being commenced by a trumpet, with the alto and tenor playing a half measure behind in a striated harmony. The piano is used only for color, strangely enough, and Domnérus' solo carries the thing shimmying and sweating into "You've Changed." The cover on this set looks as square as all get out, but the music inside is a savvy, hip, and down in the groove. ~ Thom Jurek https://www.allmusic.com/album/arne-domn%C3%A9rus-sextet-with-bengt-hallberg-rolf-ericson-mw0000968777

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Arne Domnérus;  Bass – Georg Riedel;  Drums – Egil Johansen;  Guitar – Rune Gustafsson;  Piano – Bengt Hallberg;  Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Claes Rosendahl;  Trumpet – Rolf Ericson        

In Concert w. B Hallberg & Rolf Ericson

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Rune Gustafsson - Trio

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:57
Size: 118.9 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[3:35] 1. New Rhumba
[4:07] 2. The Duke
[3:46] 3. Time After Time
[3:08] 4. Noreen's Nocturne
[3:39] 5. One For My Baby
[3:31] 6. Get Him Fast
[4:55] 7. Love You Madly
[3:34] 8. Gypsy In My Soul
[4:30] 9. Just In Time
[3:12] 10. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
[4:18] 11. Should I
[4:43] 12. My Favourite Things
[2:57] 13. Tangerine
[1:55] 14. If My Complaints

Bass – Hans Backenroth; Guitar – Rune Gustafsson; Keyboards – Kjell Öhman.

Heavily inspired by generations of blurry-toned jazz guitar maestros such as Jimmy Raney, Jim Hall, and Tal Farlow, this Swedish artist went on to compose critically acclaimed film soundtracks as well as pick and strum. The Swedish music scene in general is where documentation of Rune Gustafsson is most prevalent, his discography on Sonet, Metronome, and other labels even including a tribute to soul genius Stevie Wonder. The guitarist began performing folk music as a young teen, apparently under considerable prodding from an uncle who was already engaged in the same kind of activity. Gustafsson had evolved to playing jazz on stages in the early '50s, his bandleaders including Bert Dahlander, Putte Wickman, Hacke Bjorksten, and Lars Gullin. When profiled in Leonard Feather's Encyclopedia of Jazz in the '70s, Gustafsson talked about his ambitions in composing and arranging concert music, a promise he certainly made good on in the ensuing years. He also expanded his instrumental arsenal for some of these projects, recording on the banjo and the celeste, among other unusual axes. His film credits include the 1992 Ingmar Bergman release with the English title of Sunday's Children. ~bio by Eugene Chadbourne

Trio

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Sylvia Vrethammar & Rune Gustafsson - Something My Heart Might Say

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:27
Size: 117.8 MB
Styles: Vocal & guitar jazz
Year: 1999/2014
Art: Front

[4:21] 1. Something My Heart Might Say
[1:38] 2. Just In Time
[2:37] 3. I'll Never Get Myself Another Face
[2:28] 4. You Must Be Crazy
[3:10] 5. How High The Moon
[3:55] 6. Teach Me Tonight
[1:09] 7. Nice Work If You Can Get It
[3:06] 8. Smile
[1:38] 9. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
[2:51] 10. Sweet Georgie Fame
[2:34] 11. Daydream
[4:05] 12. The Nearness Of You/You Are Thw Sunshine Of My Life
[3:29] 13. A Fine Romance
[2:21] 14. If You Should Ever Leave Me
[2:16] 15. Oho-Aha
[2:37] 16. Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend
[1:32] 17. Strangers In The Night/-L-O-V-E
[3:50] 18. Isn't It Romantic
[1:42] 19. Aquarela Do Brasil

There was something very special with the voice of this female singer when I first heard a couple songs from this album without knowing who she was. The swell honest phrasing, superb vocal control, not to mention the charm of execution in unison with a playful chic jazz guitarist. Surprising as it turned out that my unknown musicians are two famous Swedish artists; Sylvia Vrethammar and Rune Gustafsson. For international jazz enthusiasts who do not know these two excellent musicians, a little introduction; Sylvia Vrethammar is a singer of popular music, standards and jazz. She is best known for the 1974 song, "Y Viva España". It reached #4 in the UK Singles Chart in September 1974. Rune Gustafsson is a well-known jazz guitarist and composer, known for numerous recordings and concerts with the likes of Ed Thigpen, Putte Wickman, Arne Domnérus, Jon Christensen, Kjell Øhman, Zoot Sims and Toots Thielemans.

"Something My Heart Might Say" gives you the best of harmony vocals and guitar only, never gets boring even when the two are without any support from other instruments throughout the album and finally by a fine collection of musical gems from 'The Great American Songbook'. All the tunes you've heard before, but maybe not so naked and vulnerable as here when the nuances come out more clearly in a challenging format for the two musicians. All the 17 tunes running on the album are highlights; my personal picks for listening over-and-over again are the album title tune "Something My Heart Might Say", the seldom played "I'll Never Get Myself Another Face", Blossom Dearie's lovely "Sweet Georgie Fame" and finally Billy Joel's immortal "Just the Way You Are". Rune Gustafsson is the perfect partner for Sylvia Vrethammar on this album, an excellent accompanist and playful soloist in this challenging format. As always from Four Leaf Clover Records, sound quality is excellent and particularly the vocal recorded are of the highest audible quality. Highly recommended album! ~Terje Biringvad

Something My Heart Might Say

Monday, August 22, 2016

Rune Gustafsson - Standards

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:37
Size: 97.6 MB
Styles: Guitar & vocal jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[3:39] 1. Black And Blue
[3:01] 2. That Old Feeling
[4:32] 3. I Surrender Dear
[3:11] 4. Don't Be That Way
[3:14] 5. Taking A Chance On Love
[3:28] 6. No Regrets
[3:55] 7. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
[3:38] 8. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
[2:20] 9. Home
[3:19] 10. I'm In The Mood For Love
[3:39] 11. For All We Know
[4:36] 12. You're A Sweetheart

Heavily inspired by generations of blurry-toned jazz guitar maestros such as Jimmy Raney, Jim Hall, and Tal Farlow, this Swedish artist went on to compose critically acclaimed film soundtracks as well as pick and strum. The Swedish music scene in general is where documentation of Rune Gustafsson is most prevalent, his discography on Sonet, Metronome, and other labels even including a tribute to soul genius Stevie Wonder. The guitarist began performing folk music as a young teen, apparently under considerable prodding from an uncle who was already engaged in the same kind of activity. Gustafsson had evolved to playing jazz on stages in the early '50s, his bandleaders including Bert Dahlander, Putte Wickman, Hacke Bjorksten, and Lars Gullin. When profiled in Leonard Feather's Encyclopedia of Jazz in the '70s, Gustafsson talked about his ambitions in composing and arranging concert music, a promise he certainly made good on in the ensuing years. He also expanded his instrumental arsenal for some of these projects, recording on the banjo and the celeste, among other unusual axes. His film credits include the 1992 Ingmar Bergman release with the English title of Sunday's Children. ~bio by Eugene Chadbourne

Standards