SUMMER JAZZ @ SCANDINAVIA HOUSE
Program includes New Nordic Jazz (June 16-19) and Jazz House every Wednesday this JulyMay 13, 2008—The American-Scandinavian Foundation kicks off its summer 2008 concert season at Scandinavia House with a four-day New Nordic Jazz series from June 16–19 featuring some of the freshest Scandinavian jazz acts of today, most of which will also perform at the Rochester International Jazz Festival. The diverse lineup at Scandinavia House includes the Iro Haarla Quintet, Beady Belle, Jacob Anderskov Solo, Hilmar Jensson, and MUSICMUSICMUSIC. Following the concerts in Victor Borge Hall, meet the performers at cocktail receptions on the outdoor garden terrace!
Summer Jazz continues every Wednesday in July with Scandinavia House’s Jazz House series—back by popular demand!—presenting some of the hottest young jazz artists from the Nordic region. Enjoy performances in Volvo Hall and cocktails and conversation on Scandinavia House’s outdoor garden terrace. The lineup this summer includes Bjørn Solli, the Anne Mette Iversen Quartet, Anders Nilsson, Jostein Gulbrandsen, and Nikolaj Hess. Whether you’re a serious jazz aficionado or just like to mingle, stop by this summer to experience an unforgettable taste of Scandinavia without leaving Manhattan.
NEW NORDIC JAZZ , June 16–19, 2008
Tickets: $15 ($12 ASF members). 5-concert pass: $60 ($45 ASF members)
Tickets may be purchased in advance at Scandinavia House (Mon.-Sat., 12-6 pm) or by phone at (212) 847-9737.
Iro Haarla Quintet, Monday, June 16, 7 pm
One of the most central Finnish jazz musicians of the decade, Finnish pianist, harpist, and composer Iro Haarla was awarded the Finnish Jazz Federation’s annual Yrjö Award in 2006. All About Jazz calls “Northbound,” her 2004 ECM debut CD as a bandleader, “a paean to nature from the northern point of view, with strongly painted images and emotions” and “the feel of an extended meditation.” Haarla’s music is deeply melodic, but it retains a certain cool melancholy that reflects her northern roots. Her sometimes delicate, sometimes sweeping harp playing lends an acutely visual quality to the pieces, evoking images foreign to those unfamiliar with the rugged beauty of remote Finnish landscapes. Haarla’s quintet pools some very significant tale nt: Verneri Pohjola on trumpet, Kari “Sonny” Heinlä on tenor sax and flute, Reino Laine on drums, and Uffe Krokfors on bass—all keenly attuned to her gorgeous, evocative, and sometimes desolate ruminations. Haarla has appeared on four ECM albums with the band Sound & Fury, led by her late husband, Finnish drummer and bandleader Edward Vesala.
Special thanks to the Consulate General of Finland in New York, the Finnish Music Information Centre (FIMIC) & ECM Records USA.
Beady Belle, Tuesday, June 17, 7 pm
The London Observer calls the Norwegian group Beady Belle “a cool, slick and instantly appealing blend of jazz and soul, which also draws on drum & bass, and r & b.” Beady Belle is the result of a collaboration between Beate S. Lech and Marius Reksjø that began in the 1990s at the University of Oslo; more recently they’ve been joined by drummer Erik Holm. Their first album, “Hom e,” was released in Europe, Japan, Korea, Canada, and Australia on Jazzland rec. in 2001, and Beady Belle has, more or less, been on tour ever since then. Their other albums, also on Jazzland rec., include “cewbeagappic” (2003), “Closer” (2005), and the recently-released “Belvedere” (2008). The almost funky “Belvedere” leads the group into a smoother, more soulful sound and at times offers an almost Nashville-flavored textural landscape. Beady Belle has collaborated with such artists as Jamie Cullum and India.Arie. For more information, visit www.beadybelle.com.
Special thanks to the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York.
Jacob Anderskov Solo, Wednesday, June 18, 7 pm
"Rarely does one meet such an assembly of virtuosity, emotionality, and versatility of expression” says Jazz Podium of Danish pianist, composer, and band-leader Jacob Anderskov. His music has been described in Jazz Special as an "ancient Nordic fairytale flower that slowly opens up and takes new colors, while you are at first gaping and amazed, later moved by its richness and satisfying beauty. Great art, and warmly recommended." Anderskov is primarily known from his own bands, Anderskov Accident and Jacob Anderskov Trio. Since his two simultaneous debut CDs from 2001, he has released no less than 13 CDs as a bandleader, received the prestigious Danish "Government Art Foundation 3 year working grant" in 2004, and been awarded five Danish Jazz Music Awards (two as a leader). A graduate of the musicians’ program at The Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, Anderskov has performed as a bandleader in most European countries as well as in the U.S. and in Canada. For more information, visit www.jacobanderskov.dk.
Special thanks to the Danish Jazz Federation.
MUSICMUSICMUSIC, Thursday, June 19, 7 pm
In their native Sweden the trio MUSICMUSICMUSIC has been called one of the most vitalizing music experiences to hit the jazz scene in years. With a passion for experimentation and an ever-present joy in playing, the group skillfully takes on classical jazz compositions as well as original work by the group’s pianist Fabian Kallerdahl, winner of the 2006 "Jazz in Sweden" prize. Leading international jazz critics have praised MUSICMUSICMUSIC for their freshness and vitality, and the group’s second album, “What's a good boss anyway?”, was named best jazz album of 2005 by one of Sweden’s biggest newspapers. The trio—Fabian Kallerdahl on piano, Michael Edlund on drums, and Josef Kallerdahl on bass—released their fourth album, “Everybody Digs,” in Sweden and on iTunes in February, 2008.
Special thanks to the Consulate General of Sweden in New York.
Hilmar Jensson, Friday, June 20, 7 pm
Hilmar Jensson, one of Iceland’s most versatile and best-known guitarists, performs an energetic, experimental, and eccentric mix of free jazz, rock, and noise with his trio TYFT. Together with Jóhann Jóhannsson and Kristin Björk Kristjansdóttir (Kira Kira), Jensson is a founding member of the Icelandic record label/think tank Kitchen Motors, and has through this platform worked with bands and musicians like Sigur Rós, Múm, Amiina, Skuli Sverrisson, and Mugison. His band TYFT released their second album, “Meg Nem S,” in 2006 on the American label Skirl Records. A graduate of the FIH School of Music in Iceland and the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Jensson has performed and recorded extensively in both the U.S. and Iceland, appearing on more than 60 records. For more information visit www.hilmarjensson.com.
Special thanks to the Consulate General of Iceland in New York and Iceland Naturally.
JAZZ HOUSE , Wednesday, July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2008
Cover charge: $12 ($10 ASF members) includes drinks.
Bjørn Solli, Wednesday, July 2
New York-based guitarist, vocalist, and composer Bjørn Solli was voted "young Norwegian jazz musician of the year" in Norway in 2002 and has since won numerous awards throughout Europe, including soloist prizes in Belgium, Monaco, and Spain; audience prizes in Switzerland and Spain; and a composition prize in France. Solli tours and records extensively, performing in New York in such venues as Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center. His trio recently released their critically acclaimed CD "SOLID!"
Anne Mette Iversen Quartet , Wednesday, July 9
“Every single time I hear this music it leaves deep impressions in my soul,” writes Politiken critic Boris Rabinowitsch about Danish bassist and composer Anne Mette Iversen. As a composer, the New York-based Iversen has developed her own unique and personal style emerging from a very special talent for unifying jazz and European classical music. This style reflects her background as a classical pianist, her knowledge and familiarity with the Danish folk song tradition, Danish satirical cabaret music, and, of course, her intimate relationship with jazz, including the standard repertoire, modern jazz, and the avant-garde. A student of classical piano at The Royal Danish Acade my of Music, bass at the Rhythmic Conservatory of Music in Copenhagen, and jazz performance at The New School, Iversen is thoroughly trained in many musical languages. Without ever being sentimental or indulging in cheap tricks, she creates picturesque, expressive, emphatic music that sends the listener off with a head full of images. Iversen’s new album, “Best of the West + Many Places” (Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records, 2008), has been well-received by critics. For more information visit www.annemetteiversen.com and www.myspace.com/annemetteiversen.
Anders Nilsson, Wednesday, July 16
Born in 1974 and raised in Eslov, Sweden, guitarist and composer Anders Nilsson started out with rock, metal, American blues, and Zappa records, acquiring a lifelong hunger and dedication for more musical discoveries. After studying jazz at the Malmö Academy of Music, Nilsson moved to New York in 2000 and has collaborated with many players in the experimental scene on projects involving improvisation to the utmost degree. Nilsson plays original compositions and collective improvisations delivered with incredible conviction and magic. For more information visit www.myspace.com/andersnilssonsaorta .
Jostein Gulbrandsen, Wednesday, July 23
A native of Namsos, Norway, guitarist Jostein Gulbrandsen plays electric, acoustic nylon string, and fretless guitar. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Gulbrandsen recently released his first CD as a band leader, “Twelve,” on Fresh Sound New Talent. He works with the Matt Grason Motel Project and co-leads the band Randal with Fred Kennedy and Roland Fidezius, and has just finished a recording with Nate Smith Quartet. For more information visit www.myspace.com/josteing.
Nikolaj Hess, Wednesday, July 30
Politiken critic Boris Rabinowitsch calls the music of Danish piano/keyboard player, arranger, and composer Nikolaj Hess “improvisational art at the highest level.” “With his totally masterful sense of rhythm he tracks the point where the music swings the most with the least effort.” Hess won the gold prize in the Berlingske Tidende competition of non-classical music in Copenhagen and was named Best European Jazz Piano Player under 25 in the RAI competition in Rome (1991). A graduate of the Rhythmic Conservatory of Music in C openhagen, he has studied in the U.S. and in West Africa with the master drummer Odartey. Hess’s most recent recordings as a leader and co-leader include “Spoiled Child” (RMC Records/Sundance Records, 2007), “Live at Wood Wood” (Wood Wood, 2007), and “Coral” (Exlibris, 2006). He has composed and arranged for solo piano, small groups, large string ensemble, big band, choirs, and saxophone quartet. He has also written music for the Danish film company Zentropa, Tju Bang Film and others; and for radio: DR, NKR, Hungarian Radio. For more information visit www.nhess.dk.
Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America
58 Park Avenue (between 37th and 38th Streets), New York, NY 10016Public information: (212) 879-9779 or www.scandinaviahouse.org
For concert reservations, call (212) 847-9740.Press information: Joan Jastrebski, (212) 847-9717 (do not publish this number) or joan@amscan.org
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Celebrate Midsummer Juhannus at Palmquist Farm June 20-22
Palmquist Farm has a rich Finnish heritage that is still celebrated today.Your Midsummer Celebration Includes
-Two nights lodging (cozy cabins with fireplaces)
-Traditional Finnish Meals
-Use of our wood-burning sauna
-Finnish baking demonstration by owner Helen Palmquist
-Hay ride to view The Farm’s nature, exotic deer & buffalo ending at local winery for wine tasting
-Presentation by owner Jim Palmquist about The Farm’s Finnish history
(you are encouraged to bring Finnish family pictures & stories to share)
-Knox Creek Heritage Scandinavian Dinner (5 miles from The Farm)
Knox Creek Heritage Dinner Includes:
-Traditional Scandinavian food
-Midsummer decorations-Open exhibits*
-Music
-May Pole*The Knox Creek Heritage Center, an affiliate of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, is composed of five buildings (a turn-of-the-century farmstead) representing several ethnic groups in southeastern Price County: the Main Farm House, circa 1900, a summer kitchen building, the Keto House (depicts a typical logging camp from the 1800’s, complete with kitchen and bunkroom), circa 1900, Spirit Baptist Church, circa 1890, the Waahto Sauna built in the early 1900s, moved to the site and restored, and a pole shed. All the buildings on the site are used to display artifacts, documents, photographs, and other memorabilia that represent the cultural, ethnic, and historical aspect of past eras.
800.519.2558 www.palmquistfarm.com Brantwood, WI 54513