Classical Music

William Edward Davison (1906-1989) was an American trumpeter, and among the best of his kind. Louis Armstrong himself thanked him in his old age for bringing forward the very music to which Armstrong himself had vowed his whole life. He had an ear for rhythm and music like no other. His sound is a demonstration of power, but never extortion. Rather, he is precise, athletically sharp and just a moment ahead of the beat, laid-back and superior. He wasn’t interested in sheet music or chords, but had an ear and a routine equal to few. For Davison, it was not a question of which playing style was in fashion: he was driven by a simple desire to create good music. It wasn’t only his musical style that earned him his Wild Bill nickname. He loved partying and was known to drink like an entire band. He could be gruff and violent, tender and touching, generous or stingy. His fifth and last wife, Ann Stewart, put him under and administration and that diminished the number of female acquaintances and his consumption of boozed dwindled to a trickle. But how did this musician from the great USA turn up in Denmark, settle here and play so prolifically for five years? The story begins at the 1972 Newport Jazz Festival. Papa Bue’s Viking Jazzband was on the program, and went backstage to say hello to musicians such as Eddie Condon, Bobby Hackett among others. They invite Davison to Copenhagen, and he likes the city so much he decides to stay around. Ole “Fessor” Lindgreen recalls Wild Bill Davisons particular and powerful style: “I’ve played with many of the Americans, but I have to say I was always impressed by the punch there was in Wild Bill. No matter whether he was playing for forty people or four hundred, there was an enormous amount of power. If the concert was being recorded, the sound people always thought there was something wrong with the equipment – that’s how strong he played. The fact that later in the evening he drank himself stinking drunk didn’t matter so much… He was more serious with his music than you’d think, behind that smash-bang-pow façade. He practiced all the time. He said ‘I have the kind of chops that, if I don’t practice one day, it’s okay. Two days, problems. Three days, serious shit’”. Wild Bill Davison lived the good life in Denmark for more than five years, between 1973 and 1978. He played countless gigs with Danish bands, especially Fessor’s Big City Band and Papa Bue’s Viking Jazzband, and made trips to Argentina, Spain and Italy with Copenhagen as his base. The music in this box set focuses on his successful collaboration with the Danish bands, who are performing on a high level with deep, affectionate insight into the essence of jazz.

Classical Music

Renowned Danish pianist and composer Carsten Dahl is set to release his new album, Interpretations The Norway Sessions with his Golden Ratio Trio feat. Swedish bassist Daniel Franck and Danish drummer Jakob H�yer on September 27 on Storyville Records. This recording presents 13 original compositions, two by Dahl, one by Franck and ten by all three musicians. Interpretations presents two distinct recording sessions that offer contrasting textures. The first session is characterized by a warm, melodically precise ambiance, while the second session embraces a rawer, more aggressive edge. This duality in expression ensures that the music remains compelling and evocative, with every nuance and detail thoughtfully crafted. The interplay between H�yer's delicate drumming, Franck's resonant bass, and Dahl's emotive piano creates a rich tapestry of sound, revealing layers of meaning and intensity. Interpretations showcases Dahl's matured approach to the piano trio format. Over the years, Dahl's style has evolved from his early bop influences to a more nuanced and sophisticated voice, drawing comparisons to jazz luminaries such as Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett. Dahl's unique interplay of melody and rhythm now incorporates influences from European classical music, with inspirations ranging from Bach to Rachmaninoff, all while remaining deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. Dahl describes the album with his signature poetic and introspective approach, stating: "We interpret the wind's sigh and the blood that bubbles inside us." He likens the creative process to a spiritual excavation, seeking the profound roots of musical expression. The trio's approach is akin to the artistic philosophy of Pablo Picasso-where creativity emerges not from striving, but from a receptive and intuitive interplay. Dahl likens their work to "small paintings where the picture dictates the interpretations, and where the musician merely plays the role of paint and paintbrush." Interpretations challenges listeners to engage with music in new and profound ways. It is in the delicate balance between action and pause, expectation and surprise, that this music truly thrives.

Storyville Records proudly announces the release of the Danish Radio Big Band - XL-LX on September 20, 2024. A bold and expansive project that captures the essence of the band's sound in the 2020's. This ambitious collection features five commissioned compositions from five diverse composers, showcasing the versatility and modernity of large jazz ensemble music. Spanning nearly two hours of music, XL-LX illustrates the dynamic and distinctive voices within the Danish Radio Big Band. Recorded over the past eight years, the collection emphasizes the band's role as the unifying element amidst diverse compositions. The title, XL-LX, not only signifies the extra-large scope of the project but also commemorates the band's 60th anniversary, with "LX" representing the Roman numeral for 60. 1. Sparkles by Marilyn Mazur - this vibrant suite captures the synergy between Mazur's percussion and the big band, enhanced by the chemistry with young conductor Miho Hazama. Performed in Denmark and at international festivals in Bucharest and South Korea, Sparkles sets the energetic tone for the collection. 2. Roller Coaster by Carla Bley - inspired by Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, this piece reflects Bley's lifelong fascination with amusement parks. Commissioned for a Scandinavian tour, it was recorded in a chance studio session, adding to the magic of the album. 3. The Mind Behind by Palle Mikkelborg - celebrating Mikkelborg's 75th birthday, this piece features three flugelhorn soloists and contributions from guest artists Marilyn Mazur, Helen Davies, and Mike Sheridan. Premiered at the Danish Radio's Concert House, it is a testament to Mikkelborg's profound influence on jazz. 4. Reflections for Clarinet & Jazz Orchestra by Peter Jensen - a re-imagining of Carl Nielsen's Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, Opus 57, this composition highlights the talents of soloist Peter Fuglsang. It has captivated audiences in Denmark and at the Nordischer Klang Festival in Germany. 5. Suite Electus by Miho Hazama - comprising three movements played attacca, this suite marks Hazama's first composition for the big band. Debuted live alongside the release of XL-LX, it concludes the collection with a fresh and innovative perspective. XL-LX is akin to an art gallery's opening night, where each composition stands as an individual masterpiece while collectively creating a harmonious exhibition. Just as a gallery owner curates diverse artworks to complement each other, the Danish Radio Big Band seamlessly integrates these compositions, allowing each to shine while enhancing the overall listening experience. Each LP in this collection features a blank B-side, symbolizing the ongoing potential for new artistic expressions. Join us in celebrating 60 years of musical excellence with the release of XL-LX. This collection not only honors the Danish Radio Big Band's rich history but also heralds it's vibrant future.

LP Jacket.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Danish / Swedish jazz-vocalist and songwriter, Kira Martini is releasing her new album Open Wide on Storyville Records on May 31, 2024. On this recording, Martini serves us a handful of her own compositions in a borderland between genres - a fusion of Nordic folk and jazz with notes of the warm seventies songwriter sound and mentality, inspired by the likes of Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake. Open Wide is about facing life with an open mindset. Personally. Musically. It's a soul-stirring fusion of genres, where Martini transcends boundaries and captivates listeners with her personal melodies and heartfelt stories. Her songs comes from a place of need for outlet, and they are deeply personal experiences. She firmly believes that music is the strongest way to heal and connect. Martini and her band takes us on an odyssey, exploring what happens when songwriting meets the free mentality of jazz, while touching themes like healing, transformation, love, friendship, anger and release. Behind she has a team of some of the finest musicians Danish jazz has to offer, including guitarist Johannes Wamberg, saxophonist Jakob Dinesen, bassist Anders Fjeldsted and drummer Morten �ro. They all hold a special place in her heart for their way of bringing themselves into every note, and being present in shaping and coloring the music. Besides the band, she has invited some special guests and dear friends to join as features on different tracks. Kira Martini has established herself as a prominent figure in the Scandinavian music scene over the past decade, known for her true warm voice, frank ways and versatility. In recognition of her talent, she was awarded the prestigious Pal� Jazz Award in 2023.

A piece of music history comes alive on Friday, May 10, as Storyville Records releases a new recording capturing the legendary Duke Ellington live in Copenhagen, Denmark, 1958. This recording, Copenhagen 1958 (Bonus: After Hours 1950), offers a rare glimpse into Ellington’s genius during a pivotal period in jazz history. In the late autumn of 1958, Ellington and his orchestra embarked on a whirlwind tour across Europe, leaving a trail of musical brilliance in their wake.

Among the highlights of this tour were two electrifying concerts held at Copenhagen’s iconic sports center, KB Hallen, on November 7. Although the original tapes have been lost to time, segments of these historic performances were broadcasted on separate occasions. Now, these broadcast recordings serve as the foundation for this release, transporting listeners back to a time when Ellington’s music redefined the jazz landscape.

The album opens with Ellington’s signature tune, "Take the A Train," over the vibrant energy of "Newport Up" to the soulful strains of "My Funny Valentine," each track showcasing the orchestra’s talent and Ellington’s innovative compositions. The orchestra was in great form in the late '50s, with the mixture of veterans like Johnny Hodges and Harry Carney, and modernists like Jimmy Hamilton, Clark Terry, and Paul Gonsalves.

One of the highlights is the rendition of "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue," featuring Paul Gonsalves’ legendary solo. In addition to the live recordings from the 1958 tour, this album also includes bonus tracks from after-hours settings in 1950; three tracks from a jam session at the dance restaurant Sct. Thomas in Copenhagen and two solo Ellington tunes recorded at a social charity event in Aarhus.

Copenhagen 1958 stands as evidence of Ellington’s enduring musical legacy, demonstrating that his music remains as pertinent and influential today as it was during its inception!

A previously unreleased album that world-famous Jazz violinist Svend Asmussen considers one of his best recordings ever, now available on the occasion of his 99th birthday! In a tiny club in Paris with 26 guests, he played a set with three musicians he had never played with before. Just as they were about to play, a man casually told them the concert would be broadcast live on French radio, and this performance turned into one of his favorites due to the atmosphere & spontaneity of the live recording!

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music