Frode Kjekstad - A Piece of the Apple (2017)

I have known Frode Kjekstad since he was a student at the Music Conservatory in Oslo when I was a guest teacher there. That was some 20 years ago in the mid 1990s. He was an impressive jazz musician then and his talent has grown exponentially since that time. I was the producer on Frode's 2002 New York Time which was acclaimed jazz release in Norway that year. On this latest release A Piece of the Apple, he furthers his legacy as perhaps Europe's finest Soul-Jazz guitarist. Frode's guitar playing is a blend of great ideas, intense technical facility, crisp and clear tone, and swinging time, all delivered with an intense emotionalism reminiscent not of the Scandinavian cool school, but of the finest American hard groovers. Appearing on this set of 5 Kjekstad originals, 3 standards, and one jazz original (Eddie Harris' classic Cold Duck Time) along with the guitarist are 3 of New York City's finest musicians, organist Mike LeDonne, saxophonist Eric Alexander, and drummer Joe Farnsworth. These gentlemen (fellas, you know what you are:) need no introduction to serious jazz fans but for the novices, LeDonne has played with everyone from Milt Jackson to Benny Golson, Alexander with Charles Earland to becoming a star in his own right (and his first recorded appearance was on my album Jubilation I believe), and Farnsworth with everyone from Lou Donaldson to Pharoah Sanders. In addition, these guys have their own group which appears regularly at the jazz Club Smoke in NYC, so they are as tight in their playing together as real fraternal brothers. These musicians are veteran performers who have toured the world many times and perfected their artistry in front of audiences on most of the continents of this globe. They play beautifully together on this album which I am sure will touch your soul and get your feet tapping as well! Randy Johnston

Tracklist:
01. Frode Kjekstad - A Piece of the Apple (7:20)
02. Frode Kjekstad - Malala (7:51)
03. Frode Kjekstad - The Three Musketeers (8:39)
04. Frode Kjekstad - Not While I´m Around (5:38)
05. Frode Kjekstad - That´s All (8:31)
06. Frode Kjekstad - Cold Duck Time (6:41)
07. Frode Kjekstad - My Shining Hour (8:20)
08. Frode Kjekstad - Invitation (5:56)
09. Frode Kjekstad - Lone Ranger (8:51)