Runeberg

Anders Bergcrantz is one of many talented European jazz musicians who has been active for a good while, yet the trumpeter/flügelhornist is hardly known outside of the continent. After a long association with Dragon, he found a new label in Stunt and this CD was his first release for them, so he may end up with greater recognition due to the latter label's bigger investment in worldwide publicity. Joining him in the front line is trombonist Vincent Nilsson (who doubles on bass trombone), with pianist Jacob Kartzon, bassist Lasse Lundstrom, and drummer Lennart Gruvstedt providing a strong rhythm section. Most of the compositions are by the leader, highlighted by the infectious hard bop groove of "That's Nice, Don't Stop," the high energy of "Chief Sitting Bull," and the boisterous extended workout of "Cochise," with the leader briefly alluding to Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" in the midst of his solo, along with a few humorous licks. While adding a standard or a widely known jazz composition might have helped give listeners a chance to more directly compare Bergcrantz to familiar post-bop artists, he is clearly a force to be reckoned with and deserving of greater attention.