MoreConcerts
Experience an unforgettable taste of Scandinavian artists in concert in Volvo Hall while enjoying our outdoor garden terrace this summer.
An alternative to the usual midtown “happy hour,” Nordic Summer Jam presents an eclectic selection of musicians and repertoires.
Concerts
In the Country
June 30
In the CountryIn The Country is a piano trio consisting of piano player Morten Qvenild, bass player Roger Arntzen, and drummer Pål Hausken.
Morten Qvenild is probably best known for being the orchestra in Susanna and the Magical Orchestra but has plenty more to show for. He has been a member of both Shining and Jaga Jazzist and is since long a member of Solveig Slettahjells Slow Motion Orchestra. In 2003 he formed In the Country with Ballrogg- and Chrome Hill-bass player Roger Arntzen and Christer Knutsen-drummer Pål Hausken at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo. Since then they have been selected best young jazz artists in Norway, played concerts in Europe and USA and released two albums on the prestigious Rune Grammofon label (This was the Pace of My Heartbeat, 2004, and Losing Stones, Collecting Bones, 2006) to much critical acclaim. Downbeat called their debut album “one of the finest and most arresting albums to come out of Europe” that year, and All About Jazz placed In the Country’s latest album Whiteout (2009) on their Best of 2009-list.
Anders Holst
July 14
Anders HolstContemporary singer and songwriter Anders Holst creates distinguished and captivating music that shows roots in jazz, soul, and European pop music. Holst was born and raised in Sweden but is currently based in New York City. Writing his first song when he was ten years old, music has always been a passion for this talented Swede. But a desire to walk in his father’s footsteps made him suppress his dreams, and venture into the world of business instead. Holst moved to the United States as co-chairman of the Ross Institute. But feeling like something was missing, he decided to give up his prosperous career in strategic management counseling, and start a singing one instead at the age of 52.
In 2005, while living in New York, Holst released a smooth jazz-infused EP, Five, recorded in Sweden and Los Angeles. His second album, Romantika, came out in January 2009 and received excellent reviews from Billboard, Radio and Records, and Jazziz, among others. Romantika boasts the sound of styles varied as Alan Parsons, Seal, Sting, and Chicago. The album was recorded in Stockholm and produced and arranged by Alar Suurna, Jerker Eklund, Mats Byström, and Holst. In 2010, Holst was nominated for the American Smooth Jazz Awards in the category of “International Male Vocalist of the Year.”
In June of this year, Holst released his latest album, Soho Suite. The album has been heralded by Billboard Magazine, AOL Music, Napster, and more.
Emma Larsson
July 21
Emma LarssonFinland-residing Swede Emma Larsson is a jazz singer and composer who delivers vivid, self-penned jazz tunes with a rich, warm voice. Inspired by instrumental jazz, she creates original instrumental music that could be described as a mixture of jazz, soul, and pop.
As a young Scandinavian, Larsson has a strong interest in form and aesthetics; the stretch of her interests and influences is global, but her viewpoint is strongly individual. The make-up of her current quintet reflects this with Benito Gonzalez on piano, Finns Jonathan Rautio on saxophone and Jukkis Uuotila on drums, and Swede Christian Spering on bass.
After finishing her first degree at the Piteå College of Music with a major in jazz and pop vocals, Larsson moved to Finland in 2003. Here she recorded her first album, Irie Butterflies, while studying for her master degree in jazz studies at the prestigious Sibelius Academy.
Recorded with her quintet in Helsinki, Larsson’s latest album, Let It Go, raises the stakes of her game. Her voice shows a degree of control not common in contemporary singers. Naturally talented, Larsson has also extended the range and control of both her singing and compositions; Larsson shows that she belongs in the modern jazz idiom, with roots in the early ‘50s.
Karen Bach NY Trio, feat. Ian Froman and Evan Gregor
July 28
Karen Bach TrioThis music is Nordic, the sound of Scandinavia, full of intensity and edgy interaction, free improvisation and recognizable melodies, all of which are Danish musician Karen Bach’s original compositions, accompanied by Canadian born, New York-based drummer Ian Froman and American bass player Evan Gregor.
The musical relationship between Bach and Froman has developed ever since the two studied together back in 2001. Over the years, they have become professional equals as they continue to develop new music.
After a tour of Scandinavia in 2008 and a sold-out performance at Cornelia Street Café in New York in 2009, Bach and Froman will again meet on stage in New York City, this time joined by bass player Evan Gregor.
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Image Courtesy of Nikolaj Hess.
THU – 6-30-2011 through 7-28-2011 – 6:30 PM
Thursdays except for 7-7-2011
$10 ($8 ASF Members)