Jela Henning

Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen was quite comfortable in extending an invitation to Sam Jones for this unusual recording date, which features the two bassists, along with guitarist Philip Catherine (who sticks to playing acoustic) and drummer Billy Higgins, with Albert "Tootie" Heath's tambourine added on two tracks. Both bassists had played with the formidable pianist Oscar Peterson, so they not only knew something about playing rhythm but were very potent soloists to boot. Pedersen's singing tone contrasts with the darker sound of Jones, though the players nimbly shift roles throughout the sessions. Among the highlights is a bright, breezy setting of John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," Jones' lush ballad "Miss Morgan," and a dramatic take of "Yesterdays." This fun date was evidently the only time Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Sam Jones had the opportunity to work together, but they made the most of it.

Henning Flintholm is a Danish composer, producer and photographer, born 1961 in Copenhagen.
Quiet Moments (2006). A still water surface. A reflection of a lotus flower. Inner peace and wellbeing that spreads as happiness to all parts of the body. Thoughts becoming quiet, and the mind becoming peaceful giving room for overview and wisdom. Inner peace. A distant flute calling from far away. Music that gives room for you to be yourself. A quiet, happy moment - here and now…

Today, the music city of Salzburg basks in the fame of its most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was born into a very music-friendly environment: Archbishop Sigismund III reigned from 1753 to 1771, who particularly promoted music and generously sponsored the travels of the young Mozart with his family - in contrast to his frugal successor Count Colloredo, who eventually abandoned Mozart Salzburg sold. In his childhood, however, his father Leopold and the young Michael Haydn were influential figures in Salzburg's musical life; two men who shared a problem: they were overshadowed by even more prominent relatives. Leopold in that of his son, Michael, who is known as a child prodigy, in that of his world-famous brother Joseph. Works by these two and the very young "Wolferl" show the playful, light elegance that prevailed in Salzburg during this period of early Classicism - especially in works involving the shepherd's horn, a Salzburg specialty that Henning Wiegräbe mastered with virtuosity.

Niels Pedersen became one of the most heralded jazz bassists of his generation, playing with Bud Powell and Sonny Rollins while gaining international acclaim for his many recordings with Oscar Peterson. But the phenomenal bassist, whose sound is readily identifiable with a note or two, especially shined as a leader. This live CD documents a pair of concerts with guitarist Ulf Wakenius (who also worked with Peterson) and drummer Jonas Johansen, the first five tracks from 1999 and the last six from Pedersen's final recorded concert in March 2005, just a few weeks before his sudden death from a heart attack…

Music is always telling a story, even absolute music like the Goldberg Variations. Performance is by definition storytelling. Henning Kraggerud and the Arctic Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra present Bach`s immortal Goldberg Variations in a brand-new version for chamber orchestra coupled with a new set of variations. Kraggerud wrote his Topelius Variations in 2017 following a commission from the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra in Finland. He describes his 15-minute score as inspired by Topeliuss life and works; much like Edvard Grieg in his famous musical commemoration of the writer Ludvig Holberg. All the notes and pitches are Bachs, Kraggerud says.