I last posted on Nils Lindberg when he died in 2022. In my appreciation, I included my complete interview with the Swedish composer, arranger and pianist. Before that, I posted on him in 2013 and posted again in 2022 about a terrific album with vocalist Margareta Bengtson. Nils loved saxophones and wrote glorious, sophisticated pieces for them in the style of Woody Herman's Four Brothers band. {My apologies for the original cover above; another time, another place]
His first album was Sax Appeal: The Swedish Modern Jazz Group, for Sweden's Barben label. Recorded in February 1960, the LP featured Rolf Billberg (as), Harry Backlund and Allan Lundstrom (ts), Lars Gullin (bar), Nils Lindberg (p), Sture Nordin (b) and Conny Svensson (d). [Photo above of Nils Lindberg]
Now, Fresh Sound has re-isssued the album with 24-bit remastering. Most notable is the inclusion of the Swedish baritone saxophonist Lars Gullin.
The new release also includes a wonderful bonus: Nils's followup album Jazz in TV Time. The musicians included Maffy Falay (tp,) Ake Persson (tb), Allan Lundstrom (ts), Torsten Wennberg (bar), Nils Lindberg (p), Sture Nordin (b) and Conny Svensson (d).
While the two albums aren't major swingers, the writing and arranging are extraordinary. The emphasis on contrapuntal exchanges between the reeds and blended saxophone harmony shows off the section's power and sensitivity.
Tracks for Sax Appeal: The Swedish Modern Jazz Group:
- Curbits
- Blues for Bill
- Brand New
- Birdland
- Just a Take
- Play for Love
- Zodiac
Tracks for the bonus material on Jazz in TV-Time:
- Cotton Tail
- Taboo
- Blues for Bill
- Moonlight in Vermont
If you love the sound of an entire saxophone section taking a soli, you'll dig this one.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Sax Appeal: The Swedish Modern Jazz Group: (Fresh Sound) here.
Discount—Apply Fresh Sound's JazzWax code at checkout for an 8% discount on everything you buy. The code is JAZZWAX_DISCOUNT
JazzWax clips: Here's Birdland...
Here's Blues for Bill...
And here's Moonlight in Vermont...
