While perhaps not entirely picking up where Coltrane left off, tenor saxophonist Jonas Kullhammar and his band mates (drummer Kresten Osgood from Denmark and bassist Ole Morten Vågan from Norway) have, nonetheless, learned a thing or two from the master and others in the tradition who were active long before these cats were born. They've learned their lessons well, as much of this sounds like credible Live at The Village Vanguard-era Coltrane, but with a contemporary stamp.
The ideas flow and the chops are very well developed indeed, right from the get-go in "Snake City Rundown," one of two pieces by the young saxophonist. This runs into the next, equally energetic piece, "The Two Step," by drummer Kresten Osgood in which the composer develops a solo wherein he displays his extensive vocabulary skills, both traditional and his own, more contemporary spin on rhythmic flexibility. Also notable is "Morsan å Frasan," a ballad chock full of chunky sounds, with the meaty tenor tone, and the equally meaty bass lines of Ole Morten Vågan.
While the saxophone is definitely the key voice here, it is supported by two very complete and present musicians who are hale and hearty throughout. The members of the trio also prove to be competent composers, as all but one of the five pieces is an original. The only "standard" in this live set captured at the Glenn Miller Café in Stockholm, is Pharoah Sanders's "Farah," a piece that sounds curiously derived from the old folk song "Shenandoah," with its simple modal motif examined from many directions, making for a very peaceful ending to an energetic set of straight-ahead jazz playing that is robust and authentic.
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Paul Serralheiro 2009-06-18
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