25. januar 2025

Frode Kjekstad Trio
Jazz Detectives

Om utgivelsen

Crisp, clean, CLASSIC! Three master musicians at the top of their game deliver an album that captures the essence of jazz’s most elusive qualities: spontaneity, mystery, and thrill. With guitar, organ, and drums, this trio of sonic sleuths swings through shifting scenes and changing moods building a world of sound that is rich, intricate and full of surprises.
We’re treated to a collection of tracks that range from fireball improvisation to smoky, late-night jazz
moods, all while maintaining a sense of playful intrigue and subtle tension.
Dirt epitomises the essence of the album and indeed of gritty jazz. The groove is raw, the melody is
infectious, the trio dives deep into the pocket. The guitar, with its crystal clear tone, cuts through like a sharp knife, while the Hammond swells with soulful flourishes. The drums drive the piece forward with a relentless, almost mechanically precise rhythm, yet there’s a sense of freedom in the air – a perfect combination of structure and swing.
A Night At Zita treats us to well-furnished, laid back funk with radiant releases as Frode’s octaves soar over Roy’s chords delivered through his whirling Leslie cabinet.
Song For M is a beautiful, heartfelt ballad, a moment of intimacy.
The title track Jazz Detectives kicks off with a unison theme leading to virtuoso soloing from Frode
and Roy underlaid by crisp fills and constant, driving rhythmic patterns courtesy of Raciel. And – it simply doesn’t get blues-ier than Blues For Runi and I Got The Blues!
Just as jazz musicians improvise while staying within a framework, a “jazz detective” might approach a problem with flexibility, adaptability and a willingness to explore different angles, while also applying critical thinking and observation to make sense of clues or data. This band highlights a balance of creativity and logic.
Our jazz detectives, Frode, Roy and Raciel present a work that’s as unpredictable as it is captivating. They unravel a dynamic and resourceful approach to discovery through a fertile and creative partnership and hey, they SWING!
Frode Kjekstad is a Norwegian jazz guitarist who has collaborated with the likes of Lonnie Smith, Eric Alexander, Joe Farnsworth, Johnny Griffin, James Morrison… the list is long! English organist/pianist Roy Powell studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and eventually moved to Norway at the end of the 90s. His massive body of work includes collaborations with (among others) Eddie Daniels, John Marshall, Roy Hargrove, and Mike Walker. Percussionist Raciel Torres was born in Cuba and now lives in Norway. A multi award-winning musician, Raciel has performed/recorded with artists such as Gary Husband, Roberto Fonseca, César López, and Yassek Mazano.
David Fishel
www.davidfishel.info

Musikere

Frode Kjekstad - Gitar
Roy Powell - Orgel
Raciel Torres - Trommer
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Lenker

Fra forsiden

JAZZPROFILEN

En utålmodig sjel

JAZZPROFILEN: - Det bør aldri bli rutine å arrangere festival, mener Ernst Wiggo Sandbakk, som tross lang fartstid kjenner litt på nervene før åpningen av Jazzfest i Trondheim tirsdag. Etter tjue år som festivalsjef arrangerer Sandbakk sin siste Jazzfest før han gir stafettpinnen videre, og da skal trommeslageren bruke tida på å spille - masse!

Nyheter

Håkon Kornstad og Oslo jazzensemble åpner Maijazz i Stavanger

I år er det 200 år siden den første organiserte utvandringen fant sted fra Norge til Amerika. Utvandrerjubileet "Crossings 200" får markeringer over hele landet, og ett av de første arrangementene blir åpningen av Maijazz med Oslo jazzensemble og Håkon Kornstad i konsertforestillingen Mid-Atlantic i Stavanger konserthus tirsdag 6. mai.

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