Home » Jazz Articles » Extended Analysis » Jakob Bro: Jakob Bro: December Song
Jakob Bro: Jakob Bro: December Song
ByKonitz's voice not just fits in in this musical context; it that makes him sound at his best. It seems he himself is the one surprised most about it, surprised also about what he is doing: "I spent my whole life being influenced by Charlie Parker, Lennie Tristano, Lester Young and all the great jazz players and all of a sudden I play whole notes and half notes and chord progressions and I don't know why. It's not folk music, it's not jazz, it's not pop music, it's not funk, you know, it's just balladeering or whatever."
Bro's and Frisell's wonderfully intertwined guitar-lines undulate like Möbius strips in ever changing shadings. It is amazing how Konitz comes in from time to time, how his sound arises from the gently undulating guitar sounds, how he transcends it and makes the song sing. His now and then brittle sound is an ideal medium here. Thomas Morgan's extraordinary bass-playing anchors and raises the whole by very well chosen countering, topping and elongating accents. Brilliantly he focuses on melody and form and keeps the space open by putting in his very own exclamation marks. In certain respect his remarkable new way of playing reverses and redefines the role of the bass. He is the one who has played the longest with Jakob Bro. Both know each other from the bands of Paul Motian. They have developed a highly refined form of mutual understanding which is an important cornerstone of the album's music.
From the outside view it is hard to imagine there is still place for a piano- voice to contribute in a significant way. That is exactly what is happening here, however, and few will be able to use the inherent possibilities as carefully and well as Taborn is able to do with his absolute orientation on sound and shape. Together they dig up treasures and let them shine. Bro's lines prosper by generosity and alertness of all musicians.
Bro and Co. go on where Carla Bley's legendary "Utviklingssang"(Social Studies , WATT 1981) once left. In Bley's piece, and on a larger scale in Bro's trilogy, deeper properties of Scandinavian song are manifestated and reflected. Bro discovered it by himself and found the confidence not only to stick with the essence but also to let it unfold freely. December Song is not just more of the same but opens up a still broader spectrum on a higher level.
Track Listing
Laxness; Giant; Zygaena; Tree House; Lys; Kong Oscar; Risskov; Vinterhymne.
Personnel
Jakob Bro
guitarJakob Bro: guitar; Bill Frisell: guitar; Lee Konitz: alto saxophone; Craig Taborn: piano; Thomas Morgan: double bass.
Album information
Title: Jakob Bro: December Song | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Loveland Records
< Previous
Infinite Reflection
Next >
The Angle Below
Comments
Tags
Jakob Bro
Extended Analysis
Henning Bolte
Loveland Records
Denmark
Copenhagen
Bill Frisell
Lee Konitz
Paul Motian
Thomas Morgan
Craig Taborn
Charlie Parker
Lennie Tristano
Lester Young
carla bley
Jakob Bro: December Song