"Mare Nostrum" Paolo Fresu / Richard Galliano / Jan Lundgren
Paolo Fresu, trumpet, fluegelhorn / Richard Galliano, accordion,
bandoneon + accordina / Jan Lundgren, piano
ACT Music
Recorded January 7-11, 2007 at Artesuono Recording Studios,
Cavalicco (Udine), Italy
The combination of big names, assembled at random, rarely produces the
expected artistic result, but is as a rule portrayed by marketing
wizards as “exciting”, “unique” or even “pioneering” – ultimately
producing only short-lived success.
However, there still is room for miracles, as
is shown by this collaboration of the three most melodically inclined
musicians of today´s European jazz scene. Can we consider it a
coincidence, that Paolo Fresu from Sardinia, Richard Galliano, raised
in the southern France but of Italian offspring and Jan Lundgren of
Swedish origin found each other? Certainly not, and in spite of the
unusual and quite daring line-up, the threesome has grown and developed
organically…..
It appears to have been a true temptation for these continental music
masters, to enter such a daring collaboration, and form this unusual
trio…..
Fresu, Galliano and Lundgren move within
a great variety of modes of expression. Considering the fact, that the
future of jazz can only be kept alive by opening it towards other
musical cultures, the trio acts accordingly and presents a surprising
amount of themes of very varied origins…..
Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren has so far
been able to establish himself firmly in the same league as his
excellent and innovative Scandinavian forerunners, pianists like Jan
Johansson and as of late, Bobo Stenson. His articulation is strong and
clear, his phrasing impeccable and his timing and touch is of highest
calibre. His fluid executions are exciting yet relaxed, leaving much
room for contrasting improvisations, keeping the listeners attention
but at the same time letting him breathe freely. No reaching for cheap
effects, no straining after dexterity, much rather insisting on depth
and meaning – in short, Jan Lundgren is a master of his instrument.
