Sten Hostfalt - Quartet (2008)

Tracklist

01. A Bit
02. Ed's Head
03. Vera
04. Beg and Pray
05. Andology
06. Goose Walk
07. Harlem Trio
08. View

Selected tracks from Sten Hostfalt's 1992-98 Quartet recordings. Featuring Original Jazz Compositions in the traditional song tradition and format. From one of the most active and innovative improvising Guitarists and Composers on the creative New York City Music Scene of today. 'Highly Exceptional' and 'Virtuosic' according to Legendary Icons of American Music, mentors Jimmy Giuffre and Joe Maneri. And as a bandleader currently labeled ' Impressive', ' Inimitable', ' Editor's Pick ' and ' Groundbreaking, Expanding the Sonic Resources Available To The Guitar ' by Time Out NY, PM NYC/Paper Magazine, Guitar Player Magazine and Jazz Review respectively. True to the legacy that comes with being introduced on the International Jazz scene as an apprentice in, member of and featured soloist with prestigious Large Jazz Orchestras led by Jazz Masters Herb Pomeroy, Phil Wilson, George Russell. And notably with lauded contemporary composer Guillermo Klein's pioneering ensemble at one of the present era's most influential venues in improvised music, Small's Jazz Club NYC . Having the U.S. CD debute as a featured solist produced by Gary Burton. And the International CD debute as a leader initiated by Jazz Pioneer Paul Bley. The selections in this program are all based on Jazz Standards and the traditional forms of the idiom. The Giuffre inspired contrapuntual clarinet and guitar work 'Beg And Prey', the Latin tune 'Vera' and the 'Ornette/Bley-like' Medium Slow Swingy Polytonal Choral 'Andology'. Are original Sten Hostfalt compositions based on, in turn; Hoagy Carmichaels' 'Skylark', 'Victor Young's 'Beautiful Love' and Charlie Parker's 'Blues For Alice'. While Ed's Head is an up tempo Modal Post-Bop composition utilizing an A section reminiscent of Joe Henderson's intervallic / motivic style, and a bridge using the chord changes of Miles Davis' 'Tune Up'. The opening track 'A Bit' is a Jazz Waltz using harmonic/melodic material in a way that recalls Bill Evans and Duke Ellington. The Duke also obviously inspiring Adam Dahlberg's 'Harlem Trio'. With the Bass Clarinet bringing the spirit of yet another Hostfalt influence, Eric Dolphy. Dahlberg's ballad ' View ' showcases the leader's guitar surrounded by all reed textural arrangement echoing the scores Jimmy Giuffre wrote for Herb Ellis, on the 1959 album 'Jimmy Giuffre meets Herb Ellis'. The fast swinger, 'Goose Walk', the third Dahlberg track in this program, features Hostfalt blowing over soul / blues changes in the vein of Cannonball Adderley. All in all, while also delivering a sufficient dose of solos and Improvisations on every track ( except the strictly composed version of 'Beg And Prey' ) this CD focuses on composed material. Five tracks penned by Sten Hostfalt and Three by Saxophonist / Clarinetist Adam Dahlberg. Who has his contribution very much arranged to feature and highlight the leader's Guitar. Thus displaying Sten Hostfalt's improvised solos as compositions within the frame provided. Conceived during three years of touring and recording in Scandinavia with traditional large Jazz orchestras, with among others mainstream artists Deborah Brown, Rob McConnell and Bobby Shew. Recorded in 1998 in The Swedish Radio Studio. And initially released in Scandinavia only, as 'Elexir / Feel Real' on U*dig Records, STEN HOSTFALT QUARTET is the world wide release of a selected program of this recording session. With Sten Hostfalt joined by an all-scandinavian cast comprised of Per Persson on drums, Peter Frykholm on acoustic bass and Adam Dahlberg on Saxophone and Clarinets on seven of the programs eight tracks. Blended ( note the thematic similarity and variation-like continuity between 'Ed's Head' and 'Vera' ) with a track ( 'Vera' ) from Sten Hostfalt's 1992 Boston Quartet with Takuya Nakamura on trumpet, Blake Lindberg on drums and Matthew Garrison on electric bass. Making this documentation effectively span over 6 years, representing Sten Hostfalt's original Quartet lineups in Europe and U.S.A. as heard live in concert between the years 1989-2000. After which Hostfalt's work got more diverse and strongly influenced by the microtonal work of mentor, Joe Maneri. Temporarily placing much of the songformat and the quartet (or trio) setting on a hold. Only to see a gradual mix with and return to the standards and the traditional song format from 2006 and on. Making various such trios and quartets led or co-lead as well as featuring Sten Hostfalt, heard live regularly on the New York music scene. All Rights Reserved.

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