In brief
Danilo retrospective
I never tire of ‘Across the Crystal Sea’ here in a new version from Panamanian-US piano icon Danilo Pérez and Swedish jazz orchestra, Bohuslän Big Band.
Billed succinctly as an album where Pan-American rhythms meet the Nordic big band sound, most of the tunes like the above are written by the Wayne Shorter Quartet icon Pérez and very well expressed they are throughout.
Danilo says ”The project is also special because it was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its release stands as a testament to the commitment and effort of everyone involved in bringing this Global Jazz vision to life.”
Strong soprano saxophone
Stand out contributions include the Wayne Shorter-esque colours of Joakim Rolandsson’s soprano saxophone sound.
There has been a connection between Pérez and the Swedes since 2019 when he was Artist in Residence at Vara Concert Hall where the big band is based.
In-demand Swedes
Bohuslän Big Band down the years have performed with some of the biggest names in jazz including Gregory Porter, Joe Lovano and Maria Schneider.
2024 has proved a great year for dynamic big band releases. A spate of strong releases from The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra led the way.
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