Artist: Rolf Ericson & Lennart Aberg
Album: Ellington & Strayhorn
Genre: Mainstream Jazz, Swing
Label: Sittel AB
Released: 1995
Quality: FLAC (tracks+.cue)
Tracklist:
- The Intimacy of the Blues (Strayhorn) - 5:33
- Sentimental Lady (Ellington) - 4:20
- Prelude to a Kiss (Ellington) - 6:05
- Paris Blues (Ellington) - 5:55
- The Starcrossed Lovers (Ellington-Strayhorn) - 4:26
- Serenade to Sweden (Ellington) - 5:21
- Just Squeeze Me (Ellington) - 6:15
- Chelsea Bridge (Strayhorn) - 7:10
- Portrait of a Silk-Thread (Strayhorn) - 4:34
- Daydream (Strayhorn) - 5:53
- Fleurette Africaine (Little African Flower) (Ellington) - 6:23
- Lotus Blossom (Strayhorn) - 5:40
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- Personnel:
- Rolf Ericson - trumpet, flugelhorn
- Lennart Aberg - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute
- Bobo Stenson - piano
- Dan Berglund - bass
- Egil Johansen - drums
with special guests: - Rose-Marie Aberg - vocals (#6,10)
- Goran Klinghagen - electric guitar (#12)
- Max Schultz - acoustic guitar (#12)
This tribute to the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn works quite well. Trumpeter Rolf Ericson, who played with Ellington for a short period, teams up with the swinging but lyrical saxophonist Lennart Aberg (who is heard here on tenor, soprano and flute) plus pianist Bobo Stenson, bassist Dan Berglund and drummer Egil Johansen. Their program emphasizes (but is not exclusively) ballads. Rose-Marie Aberg contributed haunting wordless vocals on "Serenade to Sweden" and "Lotus Blossom" and the latter tune also adds both Goran Klinghagen and Max Schultz on guitars. At this late date, Ericson's trumpet chops were still in good form and he blends in well with Aberg on this Swedish release. Among the better selections are "The Intimacy of the Blues," "Chelsea Bridge," Strayhorn's obscure "Portrait of a Silk-Thread" and the touching "Lotus Blossom." And it is particularly interesting to hear the usually sparse Stenson playing in this type of swinging setting.
Review by Scott Yanow