Lars Danielsson & Leszek Mozdzer – Pasodoble – ACT

by | Aug 20, 2007 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

Lars Danielsson & Leszek Mozdzer – Pasodoble – ACT 9458-2, 55:27 *****:

(Danielsson, bass/cello; Mozdzer, piano/celesta/harmonium)

This German jazz label has been doing some exciting things. Three of the most interesting have come from Swedish composer, arranger, bassist and cellist Lars Danielsson.  While studying classical cello at the conservatory he was mostly listening to rock. Then he saw an Oscar Peterson concert on TV with Danish bassist Nils-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, and jazz doublebass took first priority in his life.

Danielsson met the versatile Polish pianist Leszek Mozdzer at a Warsaw concert and they planned this duo album as well as appearing together on some albums in Poland. Leszek also only discovered jazz when he was older and began to connect jazz and classical music. He is known for his jazz improvisations on the music of Chopin.  He has also collaborated with film music composers Zbigniew Preisner (Kieslowski’s “Three Colors” trilogy) and Jan Kaczmarek (“Finding Neverland”). And has worked with Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny and Archie Shepp.

The musical connection between the two performers is strong, and they play as though there are no boundaries to “cross over” – just amazingly creative music that draws on many different genres.  Mozdzer explained that he was nervous about going into the studio as a duo without some kind of concept. But the experience gave him a sense of self-confidence and inspiration. And it’s in evidence on this CD!  I was reminded of the Dino Saluzzi & Anja Lechner (bandoneon & cello) duos on ECM, which we recently reviewed. All 14 tracks are original improvisations by one or the other of the players. This is a unique album worthy of your attention!

TrackList: Praying, Fellow, Entrance, Prado, Pasodoble, Daughter’s Joy, It’s Easy With You, Hydrospeed, Reminder, Innocence 91, Follow My Backlights, Eja Mitt Hjarta, Berlin, Distances.

 – John Henry

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