Two of the greatest talents on the
Danish jazz scene are crossing swords with two skilled jazz musicians from New
York. It’s bass player Morten Haxholm who is in front of the quartet. He has
composed the music.
So far Haxholm hasn’t drawn much
attention to himself in the public. The last few years he has been occupied
with his studies at the prestigious Advanced Postgraduate Diploma at Rhythmic
Music Conservatory in Copenhagen.
Together with saxophone player
Frederick Manzies he has been in New York where he has recorded a very strong
debut album with Ari Hoenig on drums and the incomparable guitarist Johathan
Kreisberg.
This is jazz which demands something
from each musician. Haxholm has not taken the easy way out. He has done a
string of compositions which doesn’t please the musicians but force them to
deliver their absolute best.
In the cover notes he writes about
the number Cruithne, that it changes from 7/4 to 5/4 and he adds that he loves
the uneven bars. For the jazz listener who doesn’t count anything when the ears
are folded out this is only an interesting by-product. What I notice is how
insanely well it’s working. The timing in the quartet works brilliantly.
Menzies is a saxophone player who we will hear much more of in the future. He
doesn’t have any problems in meeting the guitar playing of Kreisberg.
Morten Haxholm is the main
attraction, though. Most of the compositions – like Giacometti and Ezra – are very
strong and interesting. The bass playing from Haxholm is authoritative. He is
the captain of the ship. It’s an impressive debut album.
He starts out with jazz smelling of
New York – not only in style but in talent and charisma as well.
Review: Niels Overgård. Translation:
DSI Swinging Europe.
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