Søren Kristiansen/Thomas Fonnesbaek: The Touch: Plays The Music Of OP and NHØP

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Thomas Fonnesbæk (b)
Thomas Fonnesbaek (b)
Søren Kristiansen (p)

Label:

Storyville 1014347

April/2022

Media Format:

CD, DL

RecordDate:

Rec. date not stated

Perhaps it’s a welcome development that, as well as the repertory movement addressing the repertoire of valued jazz composers such as Ellington and Mingus, there’s a more recent trend of celebrating material associated with distinctive performers. A surprising instance is this programme dedicated to Oscar and Niels-Henning, who shared a lengthy partnership as well as a surname. Kristiansen (turning 60 this year, and already described decades ago as 'Peterson-inspired') and Fonnesbaek (45) certainly have an impressive command of their vocabulary and, while I’m not aware how regularly these Danes play specifically as a duo, their work is clearly well organised and carried off with aplomb. Of course, Peterson was also a writer of original material though hardly renowned for it, and the inclusion of six examples (such as ‘Nigerian Marketplace’ and the highly appropriate ‘On Danish Shore’) provides a welcome focus beyond mere execution. The OP arrangements of three standards, with Fonnesbaek usually taking the first solo, enable listeners to appreciate the players’ sheer technique and their ability to groove.

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