Bent Axen

Sahib Shihab - Sahib Shihab & The Danish Radio Jazz Group (1965) {Oktav Music OKCD 1111 rel 2008}
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© 1965, 2011 Oktav Music | OKCD 1111
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Big Band / Saxophone / Flute

Shihab toured Europe with Quincy Jones in 1959 after getting fed up with racial politics in USA and ultimately settled in Scandinavia. In 1961, he joined The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band and remained a key figure in the band for the 12 years it ran. Needless to say, he became a very influencial figure in the Scandinavian jazz scene. The present album features Shihab's own compositions and arrangements for the Danish Radio Jazz group, of which he had been a member since 1963. The brilliant group includes such Danish jazz stars as Bent Jaedig (tenor sax), Bent Axen (piano), Alex Riel (drums) and the young Niels Henning Ørsted Pederson on bass!

Stan Getz - In Denmark 1958-59 (1990) {Olufsen Records DOCD 6011}
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© 1958-59, 1990 Olufsen Records | DOCD 6011
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

Stan Getz is heard with a variety of different groups in live recordings made while he was living in Denmark in the late '50s. His meeting with Oscar Pettiford is primarily a feature for the bassist in Pettiford's "Laverne Walk." Pianist Bent Axen is a capable partner for the tenor saxophonist, leading a trio to back Getz through a buoyant rendition of Coleman Hawkins' "Stuffy" and playful romps through "Fine and Dandy" and "Lester Leaps In." Getz is accompanied by Ib Glindemann & His Orchestra for several standards and the obscurity "Rain." The audio quality varies widely, seeming to come from broadcasts and location recordings, though not all of the source material has aged equally well. Still, this facet of Stan Getz's career is not to be overlooked, and any sonic shortcomings can be easily forgiven.

Don Byas - A Night In Tunisia (1963} {Black Lion BLCD760136 rel 1989}
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© 1963, 1989 Black Lion / Phonoco | BLCD760136
Jazz / Bop / Saxophone

The first of two CDs documenting two nights at the Montmartre in Copenhagen, this release features the great tenor Don Byas in a quartet with pianist Bent Axen, bassist Niels Pederson (still a teenager) and drummer William Schiopffe. Alternating romps with ballads, Byas tears into such songs as "I'll Remember april," "Anthropology" and "A Night in Tunisia." He shows that, despite being overseas since 1946, he had lost nothing of his power and inventiveness. This release (along with Walkin') is easily recommended, among the best recordings from Byas' European years.

Don Byas - Walkin' (1963) {Black Lion BLCD760167}
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© 1963 Black Lion / Phonoco | BLCD760167 | CD-R on-demand
Jazz / Bop / Saxophone

The second of two CDs taken from the same appearances at the Montmartre in Copenhagen as A Night in Tunisia, this release showcases the masterful (if underrated) tenor Don Byas in a quartet with pianist Ben Axen, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer William Schiopffe. Byas was always a powerful player and he digs into such songs as "There'll Never Be Another You," "Billie's Bounce" and "All the Things You Are," coming up with exciting and consistently inventive ideas. All jazz collections should have at least a couple of Don Byas albums.

Eric Dolphy - Here And There (1961) {Prestige OJC 0025218667326 rel 1991}
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© 1961, 1991 Prestige / OJC / Fantasy | 0025218667326
Jazz / Post Bop / Saxophone / Flute

This CD reissue has rarities from three different Eric Dolphy sessions. "April Fool" and the alternate take of "G.W." are drawn from Dolphy's initial date as a leader, a quintet outing with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and pianist Jaki Byard. "Don't Blame Me" is taken from a Copenhagen concert but it is the two remaining numbers ("Status Seeking" and an unaccompanied rendition on bass clarinet of "God Bless the Child") that are of greatest interest.