The trio of Arild Andersen, Tommy Smith and Paolo Vinaccia is one of the most exciting groups to appear on the European jazz scene in years. Now, the trio is on its way to India!
The tour is a part of Concerts Norway's music collaboration with Spic Macay and Jazz Utsav in India, financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Norwegian embassy.
Paolo Vinaccia, Arild Andersen and Tommy Smith. Photo: Vidar Ruud
Anchored by the massively sonorous, muscular double bass playing of Andersen, who has been one of the major figures in Scandinavian jazz since his early 1970s work with Jan Garbarek, the group marries melodic invention with crips rhythms and rich colouring. Scottish saxophonist Smith’s tough yet tender tenor playing and Italian-born, Norwegian-based Vinaccia’s creative, imaginative drumming combine with Andersen’s remarkable flexibility and use of multi-layered lines to create a sound that’s orchestral in scope and yet superbly mobile.
Great reviews
When this trio released the album "Live at Belleville" in 2008 ( ECM records ), they were met with great enthusiasm from both the public and the press, Arild Andersen received the prize “European Jazz musician of the Year 2008” by the “Academie du Jazz “ in France for the release.
Legend
Arild Andersen is a well-known name in the jazz world. He is a legend in Norwegian and international jazz.
Andersen is known for his collaboration with Jan Garbarek from the 1960's, and this time he also played with musicians like Don Cherry, Sam Rivers and George Russell.
In 1982 he started the legendary band “Masqualero “with Jon Christensen, Nils Petter Molvaer, Jon Balke and Tore Brunborg. The band existed for 10 years, releasing four albums and won three Norwegian Grammy Awards. From 1990 he has enjoyed as a musical center of gravity to combine Norwegian folk music with improvised music.
He has worked with Bill Frisell, Stan Getz, Paul Bley, Ralph Towner , Nana Vasconcelos , John Scofield, Pat Metheny among others.
Andersen was "Artist in Residence" at the Molde Jazzfestival 2005.
From 2007 he has played and toured with the new trio with Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith and Italian/Norwegian drummer Paolo Vinaccia.
Photo: Vidar Ruud
Europe’s leading saxophonist
Tommy Smith is from Edinburgh, Scotland and is one of Europe's leading saxophonists. An incredibly exciting and powerful musician! He was awarded the BBC Jazz Awards "Heart of Jazz" for 2008. He played already with Gary Burton (U.S.) as a 18-year-old and has, since this, a very long and international impressive list. Among others, he have played and toured with Joe Lovano, Chick Corea, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Jack de Johnette and Trilok Gurtu.
Norwegian-Italian drum guru
Paolo Vinaccia has worked with Arild Andersen for many years in different projects. Born in Italy, he has lived 25 years in Norway and has been active in the Norwegian and European jazz scene and a central improviser with Nils Petter Molvaer, Ketil Bjornstad, Terje Rypdal, Bugge Wesseltoft, Palle Mikkelborg and others. Vinaccia is characterized as the Norwegian-Italian drum guru always coloring refreshingly with creativity. Paolo Vinaccia was commissioned for the work "Landkjenning"to Canal Street Jazzfestival in 2006 with Terje Rypdal.
The trio will tour in Chennai and Delhi from Nov 26 till Dec 10.
Reviews
Arild Andersen, Tommy Smith and Paolo Vinaccia released the
album "Live at Belleville" in 2008 to great accolade from
both the public and the press.
"With enough form to lend cohesive shape to the entire set
and plenty of freedom to allow Andersen, Smith and Vinaccia
to take the music where they will."
John Kelman
All About Jazz
Arild Andersen was voted European Jazz musician of the Year
2008 by" Academies du Jazz" in France for this release.
"Live at Belleville" ECM 2078
The whole record: a contemporary masterwork.
Brian Morton
Moment Notice
Best cd of 2008
Jeff Dayton-Johnson
All about Jazz
My Jazz album of the year. Norwegian bass maestro teams up
with saxophonist Tommy Smith and Italian drummer Paolo
Vinaccia in a trio that is brimming over with compelling
ideas and creative invention.
Kenny Mathieson
Jazz Scotsman
Tokyo september 2010:
The highlights of Tokyo International Jazzfestival 2010
was the Arild Andersen Trio beside the Joshua Redman trio.
Masahiko YUH
Asahi