Swedish saxophonist Fredrik Nordström (b. 1974) has been a player garnering much attention over the last few years. As his discography reaches double digits, his sound has consolidated and concentrated into a recognizable tenor approach. Blue is his fifth disc for Moserobie Music and first recording with piano legend Bobo Stenson.
All the compositions heard here were written by Nordström, but he gives deference to his playing partners and to other jazz legends. The opening track begins in a typically plaintive Stenson style, the pianist touches the keys with a reflective immediacy that draws the listener to adopt his timbre right away. Nordström’s saxophone falls into line, but then, nearly seven minutes into the track the two musicians change direction lifting up the tempo and spirit of the piece, which reveals another side of Stenson’s playing and the possibilities of this quartet. Continue reading at ALLABOUTJAZZ.COM. |