Phronesis - Out Of The Dark
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Deeply affected by the blindness of his sister bassist Jasper Høiby channelled the concern and love he feels for her into Walking Dark the latest Phronesis album, which is released this month.
Phronesis, to partly reflect upon what happened to Høiby’s sister, play concerts in the dark. Ahead of the trio’s major UK tour next month, Høiby talks to Selwyn Harris.
In early February the London-based double bassist Jasper Høiby stuck a photograph up on his Facebook wall. Picture this: the towering figure of Høiby onstage, a goofy grin coupled with a this-can’t-be-happening expression on his face, arms wrapped around an ex-Miles collaborator, Danish trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg and an even more distinguished one next to him, the great Jack DeJohnette. Høiby was in such esteemed company having just been presented, along with his stage companions, with an honorary Copenhagen Jazz Festival award, in his case for “Young Spirit”. Local Boy Done Good would have made an appropriate caption.
“I haven’t been part of any scene there at all since I left,” says the 30-something Copenhagen-born leader of trio Phronesis, speaking to me only a few days after receiving the award. “But I’ve been trying to come back every year and wave the flag.” ‘Hello we’re here too. I’m Danish’!” Høiby’s usual languid tones turning momentarily into an attention-seeking squeal. “So it was a really big surprise. And then turning up for this award and five minutes after, you’re on stage with Jack DeJohnette. Really surreal! Normally it’s like trying to fight to get anything, anywhere. I’m not used to being called up and being given anything basically. It’s always like you have to try and get it. So that’s great, hopefully it will help a bit and I can go back and play a bit more. I’d love to do a bit more touring with the band there.”
This is an extract from Jazzwise Issue #162 – to read the full article click here to subscribe and receive a FREE CD...