Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ake Persson: The Great

178

Ake Persson: The Great

By

Sign in to view read count
Ake Persson: The Great
For more than two decades Åke Persson was widely recognized as Europe's foremost Jazz trombonist, and indeed one of the world's leading players. Persson's remarkable career ended in February 1975 when the 43'year'old musician took his own life. These historic sessions document Persson's early years (1951'57), before he became a member of the Harry Arnold or Clarke'Boland Big Bands or sat in for various periods of time with ensembles led by Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and others. The musicians on these early sessions are European, with two notable exceptions ' trombonists Rosolino and Burgess ' who appear on the first version of 'Monotones' and the standard 'Don't Blame Me.' Although known as 'the Comet from H'ssleholm' (his hometown), Persson lacked the biting attack and prodigious technique of a Rosolino, employing instead a softer and more urbane approach that nevertheless served its purpose well. But Persson's technique wasn't wanting; he had more than enough to accomplish any task. Persson does nothing here to abridge his towering stature ' he seems quite at ease alongside the more celebrated American duo, Rosolino and Burgess ' and on the last four tracks he becomes, in an early example of overdubbing, an entire trombone section ' and quite a good one, we should say. Of enormous interest to this listener were the two tracks from January '57 ('Besame Mucho,' Al Cohn's ''T Ain't No Use') with the legendary Swedish baritone master Lars Gullin, on which sound quality makes an abrupt turn for the better (most selections impart the dense, heavily muffled sound of early''50s, pre'stereo recordings). But sound isn't the issue here; these rare glimpses into the early career of one of Jazz's most prominent mainstream trombonists would be of great significance had they been recorded on an Edison cylinder. Recommended to those who appreciate uncommon talent when they hear it.

Track Listing

1. Forever Stone, 2. Melancholy, 3. Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, 4. Monotones, 5. Don?'t Blame Me, 6. My Blue Heaven, 7. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, 8. It Might As Well Be Spring, 9. Hershey Bar, 10. Penta, 11. Stella By Starlight, 12. Spring Is Here, 13. ?'T Ain?'t No Use, 14. Besame Mucho, 15. Nassie Goreng, 16. Just Lonely, 17. Mountain Music, 18. Monotones

Personnel

Album information

Title: The Great | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Four Leaf Clover Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.