"California Connection"
Jan Lundgren, piano/ Peter Asplund, trumpet/ Dave Carpenter, bass/
Paul Kreibich, drums
Fresh Sound Records
Recorded at Sage & Sound Studio, Hollywood, January 30 & 31, 1996
…..The successful collaboration on California Connection between two
Swedes and two Americans should come as no surprise. Enlightened
listeners have long realized that jazz is a universal art form. But
that is not to say that the bop-oriented playing on this Compact Disc
is in any way predictable. This talented foursome has come up with an
inventive framework – and fresh approaches – for some swinging
performances. The results are memorable!
Jan Lundgren was born 22 March 1966 in Kristianstad, lived the
first five years of his life in Olofström and grew up in Ronneby
(southern Sweden). “My Mother decided I would play the piano,” Jan
said, “so at the age of six she took me to a teacher (Greta
Pettersson). That was the beginning.” Two years later Siv Tillborg took
over his instruction and he would spend the next ten years with her.
Though he continued his classical training (twenty years in all), Jan
was already playing with Arne Domnérus and Putte Wickman – both living
legends. Opportunities followed with such top Americans as Benny
Bailey, Herb Geller, Johnny Griffin, Vincent Herring and singer Mark
Murphy. Jan graduated from the Malmö College of Music in 1991 and three
years later was named Jazz Musician of the Year in a poll conducted by
Swedish Radio.
…..The Thore Swanerud Award is a prestigious honour for those
promising young musicians who play in the swing/bop tradition,
memorializing the beloved Swedish pianist-composer (1919-1988) who led
groups from the late Thirties. Peter Asplund won it in 1990 and when it
was presented to Jan Lundgren in 1993 they met for the first time. Of
Jan, Peter says, “He has a great feeling for time, is a real swinger
and one of the best at comping behind a soloist. Jan has great ears –
and never gets in the way!”
