Magnus Hjorth - Blue Interval (2014)

Magnus Hjorth is no longer a “promising young” pianist – that is in the past. He has been called one of “Scandinavia’s sparkling piano talents”, but BLUE INTERVAL catapults him into the international league. Once again, he delights us with his tight trio in a repertoire of originals and astounding interpretations of Glenn Miller hits and a surprising version of Charlie Parker’s “Barbados”.
Originally from Sweden, but now residing in Denmark with his wife and child, the 31-year old Hjorth has developed into an outstanding pianist. Whether playing originals or covering more or less well-known tunes, he stays connected to jazz history with equal measures of taste and originality. He no longer feels the need to show off his great technique, but holds our attention with explosive and groovy playing and an exquisite talent for merging jazz tradition and swinging modernism into a sophisticated sound.
Magnus Hjorth began playing violin and trombone in his Swedish hometown, Laholm, but he didn’t really begin enjoying himself until he took up the piano at the age of 12. In 2004 he moved to Copenhagen and graduated from the Rhythmic Music Conservatory. He is a popular and busy musician. When not performing with his trio, he plays in numerous other bands, and accompanies visiting soloists and vocalists. He has toured extensively in Europe and USA, and is a very popular name in Japan, where he often tours either with his trio or with Japanese musicians.
He appears on many releases with other artists as an extremely dedicated sideman and original soloist, but Magnus’ own career is constantly on the rise, and BLUE INTERVAL is the fourth album in his name. It follows the acclaimed GERSHWIN album, on which Magnus also wrote string quartet arrangements, lifting the torch and composing challenging new interpretations of the great American composer’s music.
American pianist and composer Marcus Roberts – known for his work with Wynton Marsalis – has listened to the music on BLUE INTERVAL with great enthusiasm. In his thorough cover notes he writes that it is one of the most enjoyable trio CD’s he has heard for a long time, and goes on to say, “…nothing could have prepared me for the wonderful CD Magnus has recorded. Exquisite taste and elegance oozes out of every composition – reflection, beauty and optimism in each melody and solo … and Snorre Kirk’s drumming is amazing; he keeps a low profile at strategic places, and when he comes back in, he creates genuinely dramatic moments… I am certain that everyone who buys this CD will enjoy it for many years to come.”

Tracklist:

01 - Green Repose
02 - Lion's Route
03 - Barbados
04 - Mellowed
05 - Moonlight Serenade
06 - Yantoon
07 - Blue Interval
08 - Icy Blast
09 - American Patrol
10 - Lost And Found
11 - Let It Go