RICHARD ANDERSSON

MONK & MORE

Hobby Horse Records

Richard Andersson, double bass; Artur Tuznik, piano; Kasper Tom, drums; Rudi Mahall, clarinets.

This album opens with a 1960-jazz vibe, satin smooth and compelling wi6th Rudi Mahall’s clarinet fluttering over the melody.  Kasper Tom, the drummer in this group, had a jaw-dropping experience when he first saw Rudi Mahall play years ago in Berlin, Germany. He’d never experienced or even imagined someone playing the bass clarinet in this unique and jazzy way. Later, when bassist and band leader, Richard Andersson was arranging a series of concerts at a local venue, Kasper suggested they invite Rudi Mahall.

“Rudi Mahall is so incredibly fast musically and he pushes the music in unexpected directions which is both challenging and extremely fun,” Andersson writes in his press release.

Here are four distinct and super talented musicians from the European jazz scene. They are revisiting the music of Thelonious Monk alongside compositions by Lennie Tristano, Ornette Coleman, Lee Konitz and Jimmy Giuffre.  They open this album with “317 East 32^nd Street” a Tristano tune. Their arrangement captivates me.

Andersson is a central figure on the Nordic jazz scene, celebrated for his wide-ranging artistic output and collaborations across borders and generations. He is masterful in multiple ways, embracing a solid understanding of American modern jazz, Nordic lyricism, and also the European Avant-garde.  During Monk’s tune “Brilliant Corners” Artur Tuznik is sparkling during his piano solo.

I enjoyed their interpretation of Ornette Coleman’s composition “The Blessing.”  It swings! On each tune, Andersson is featured as a soloist on his double bass.  His style and technique are always awesome and on point!  They continue to ‘swing’ on Monk’s “Wee See.”  The harmonic improvisation between Andersson’s bass and Tuznik’s piano is beautifully executed.  They settle things down on the “Ask Me Now” tune by Thelonious.  The lovely ballad with the haunting melody is a showstopper. Mahall’s baritone clarinet shines like the sun, lighting this song up.

Kasper Tom’s drums push the Jimmy Guiffre tune “Four Brothers” ahead like a freight train. Andersson offers an amazing solo excursion on his double bass, followed by Tom trading solo time with the clarinet, as though they are having a very personal conversation.

They close this entertaining album with Monk’s “Trinkle Tinkle” and “Pannonica.” Here is an album that is both exciting and excellent from beginning to end.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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