CONCERT AND TALK WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023, AT 7:30 PM AT ALBUM BAR, HOVEDVAGTSSTRÆDE 2B, HELSINGØR
Please note that you can book a table for dining before, during, and after the event. Contact Album Bar at 30 58 48 42.
As a European Capital of Culture, we might as well get used to it: Helsingør's cultural scene will be enriched with the special qualities that emerge when artists collaborate across borders.
In collaboration with Album Bar, we're getting a head start when the New Nordic Quintet releases their album ”Stilhed & Storm” and performs a concert in Helsingør. Before the concert, you can hear the story behind this unique Nordic jazz project, as Aslak Gottlieb from Elsinore 2032 interviews the musicians in an intimate live talk:
7:30 PM Live Talk
8:00 PM Concert
Jazz singer Cathrine Legardh (DK) and alto saxophonist Sigurður Flosason (IS) have composed 15 new songs in Danish over several years – across the Atlantic: Legardh's lyrics and Flosason's melodies. The music was recorded in Denmark and finalized in Iceland. The album is called ’Stilhed & Storm’ and was released on the esteemed Storyville Records in June 2023 – in Denmark, Iceland, and the rest of the Nordic countries.
Legardh and Flosason have put together a New Nordic Quintet for the occasion, consisting of:
- Cathrine Legardh (vocals – DK)
- Sigurður Flosason (alto sax – IS)
- Jacob Christoffersen (piano – DK)
- Jesper Thorn (double bass – DK)
- Espen Laub von Lillienskjold (drums – DK)
MODERN MUSIC MEETS TRADITION – YOU COULD CALL IT NORDIC-INSPIRED JAZZ
Legardh is Danish, but with her Norwegian/Swedish family roots, she spent much of her childhood, especially in Norway. Flosason is a full-blooded Icelander from Reykjavik, and in that way, you could say that the lyrics and music are fundamentally Nordic-based – and partly inspired by Nordic folk songs. The music is primarily written for the lyrics – with a few exceptions where the opposite is true. Words and melodies flow freely and intertwine, the melody wraps itself around the words – supporting and carrying them forward – always with the greatest respect for the written word.
“The lyrics are in Danish, which is very unique and has been a great inspiration for me in my compositional work. Jazz in Danish – as well as in the other Nordic languages – is extremely rare. It gives a personal, more direct, and honest expression. I'm really excited to see how it's received,” says Sigurður Flosason.
Come join us and fill Album Bar on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 7:30 PM.
In a press release leading up to the album's release, the artists explain that they are inspired by nature, which sprouts, blossoms, and withers continuously. Everything breathes in and out in an endless rhythm. The year passes, life begins and ends. Melody and lyrics go hand in hand, revolving around contrasts. When the storm rages outside, everything is quiet inside – or vice versa. It's about the distant and the near, the big and the small in humans and in nature. The lyrics are rooted in modern humanity – its life and dilemmas – and above all, the lived life.
NATURE AND EVERYDAY POETRY
“It's about life and death – and everything in between. It's about losing a loved one; it's about believing in something greater and the idea of where we go when we leave this world; it's about the year passing and everything going in circles; about the trees standing by and watching everything unfold; it's about motherhood and births and children; about all the things we surround ourselves with daily; about the good days and about the dog – its journey and joy through life – which one day is no longer here…”, says Cathrine Legardh.
BACKGROUND
Legardh & Flosason have been collaborating musically since 2009, when they were stuck under the volcano in
Iceland. This led to a double album, ’Land & Sky’ (Storyville Records 2011), which was nominated for, among other things,
Vocal Jazz Album of the Year 2011 at both the Danish Music Awards and the Icelandic Music Awards. That same year, Flosason won
the title of Composer of the Year in Iceland in connection with his collaboration with Legardh. The lyrics here were also written by Legardh and the music composed by Flosason – the critics wrote:
’A volcanic eruption! You listen carefully, and there's something at stake in the emotional expression. Extremely
charming and deeply personal – a rarity!’ ♥♥♥♥♥ POLITIKEN, Christian Munch-Hansen, 2011
’Land & Sky’ in the TOP 10 of Danish jazz releases, JAZZNYT, Niels Overgaard, Dec. 2011
‘Legardh’s phrasing and text interpretation are incredibly distinct and captivating, creating a really successful musical
collaboration with Flosason.’ INFORMATION, Peter H. Larsen, 2011
This collaboration has it all – an edge, controlled wildness, and beautiful melodies. ‘Land & Sky’ is a highly recommended and truly impressive Danish jazz album. It uses a familiar jazz style but isn't afraid to challenge and build on what we already know.’ JAZZNYT, Niels Overgaard, 2011
Cathrine Legardh (born 1973) is a Danish jazz vocalist and composer with Swedish/Norwegian heritage. She trained as a music teacher but left that career in 2006. She's released six jazz albums on the well-respected Storyville Records and has toured a lot, both in Denmark and internationally. She really loves the Nordic sound, whether she's celebrating Swedish jazz icon Monica Zetterlund or Danish poet Tove Ditlevsen. Plus, she performs for kids with her band NullerNix, for which she's released two CDs and a book, and even created educational materials for the music publisher Wilhelm Hansen. In 2011, she was nominated for Music Awards in both Denmark and Iceland for her work with Sigurður Flosason.
legardh.dk & nullernix.dk
Sigurður Flosason (born 1964) is an Icelandic alto saxophonist, known as one of his country's most active and versatile musicians, with over 32 albums to his name. He was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize in 2000 and 2003. He's also a nine-time winner of the Icelandic Music Awards, including 'Composer of the Year' in 2011 for his collaboration with Cathrine Legardh. That same year, he was also nominated at the Danish Music Awards for 'Vocal Jazz Album of the Year' for their work together. www.sigurdurflosason.com
Jacob Christoffersen (born 1967) is a jazz pianist and composer. You can catch him performing solo with his own band, JC Trio, or as a 'sideman' in tons of other groups. He won the Ben Webster Prize in 2013 and has played with some big names over the years, including Majbritte Ulrikkenholm, Hanne Boel, Søs Fenger, Sanne Salomonsen, Anne Dorte Michelsen, and, believe it or not, Shu-bi-dua, where he played keyboard from 2001-2011. In the jazz world, he's shared the stage with folks like Curtis Stigers, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Joey Baron, Billy Hart, Jimmy Cobb, the DR Big Band, Alex Riel, and has been the loyal pianist for jazz singer Sinne Eeg for many years. www.jacobchristoffersen.com
Jesper Thorn (born 1979) is a Danish double bassist and composer. He graduated from the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen in 2011 and also studied in New York with awesome musicians like Ralph Alessi, Marc Helias, John Hébert, and Eric McPherson. He's been a 'sideman' for many artists, including Palle Mikkelborg, Lars Jansson, Alex Riel, Jørgen Leth, and poet Søren Ulrik Thomsen. He's picked up several grants and awards, most recently winning a DMA for 'Jazz Composer of the Year' in 2022. www.jesperthorn.com
Espen Laub von Lillienskjold (born 1982) is a Danish drummer. He graduated as a soloist from the Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus in 2009. He's built an international career playing with awesome groups like the English Matthew Herbert Big Band and Lillian Boutté from New Orleans. Back home, he's played with Nikolaj Bentzon, Christina Dahl, Benjamin Koppel, Kjeld Lauritsen, Jan Harbeck, Mads Mathias, Magnus Thuelund, and so many more! In 2017, he received the Bent Jædig Memorial Grant, and in 2022, his band Bévort 3 won 'Orchestra of the Year' at the DMA Jazz awards. www.espenvon.dk
Cathrine Legardh & Sigurður Flosason. Photo by Gorm Valentin, The Village Recording, Oct. 2022
The music for this concert is kindly sponsored by Finansmanagement ApS.
