A tuba playing jazz musician might have the right to
describe his sound as unique – after all, tuba soloists in jazz are as rare as
hen’s teeth. But when we describe Norwegian tuba player and composer Daniel
Herskedal
as unique, we’re not referring to his choice of
horn. In the last few years this young musician has proved he has the facility,
vision and musicianship to push the boundaries of his instrument, technically
and sonically, further than anyone has done so. The result , as demonstrated by
his new album ‘Slow Eastbound Train’, is a spellbind- ing and mesmerising sound
worthy of a vast international audience.
In Norwegian musicians Eyolf Dale (piano) and Helge Andreas
Norbakken (percussion) as well as the Trond- heim Soloists, Norway’s most
celebrated string orchestra, Daniel has the perfect vehicle to demonstrate his
facility as both instrumentalist and composer. And ‘Slow Eastbound Train’ is a
sublimely beautiful and melodic album full of diverse influences and unique
soundscapes that entirely fulfils both Daniel’s promise and the full potential
of this group.
Based in Copenhagen, Herskedal first came to our attention
with the release of his superb album ‘Neck of the Woods’, a duo with
saxophonist Marius Neset, in which his technical brilliance and combination of
diverse influences firmly established his reputation on the European jazz scene
as a world class musician and one to watch. Since then he has toured
extensively throughout Europe with Django Bates, Trondheim Jazz Orchestra as
well his own projects City Stories, Listen, Dagane and Magic Pocket.
Beneath the melodic, sublime, elegant themes that make up
the pieces on ‘Slow Eastbound Train’ there’s a rhythmical energy in the string
writing as well as the virtuosity of his tuba playing that gives the album its
wonderfully varied and vibrant feel. This is the sound of a master arranger and
musical thinker at work.
However we describe Daniel Herskedal, his work and his
virtuosity, there’s no doubting that a major artist has arrived. It’s rare to
find an artist with fresh ideas, the technical facility to push boundaries and
the maturity
to understand
how to express this in the all-important listening experience, but with Daniel
we are seeing the emergence of just such a one, We can only sit back and admire
the result: a beautifully executed album that will continue to inspire and move
us long into the future.
~ Edition Records
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