| Jazz |
A Nordic Tribute to a Tenor Legend
Twenty-five years after the passing of Joe Henderson, one of jazz’s most influential tenor saxophonists, Danish saxophonist Pernille Bévort and her trio Bévort 3 have crafted a loving yet fiercely original tribute with A Cup of Joe. This isn’t an album of covers (as others have done), rather it’s a reflection of Henderson’s spirit filtered through Bévort’s Nordic sensibility and modern jazz aesthetics.
Bévort 3 has established itself as one of Europe’s most compelling jazz trios, winning “Band of the Year” at the 2022 Danish Music Awards Jazz. The lineup features Pernille Bévort on tenor and soprano saxophone, Morten Ankarfeldt on double bass, and Espen Laub von Lillienskjold on drums. Together, they create what can only be described as a sound that bridges countries, continents and eras, rooted in the American jazz tradition yet unmistakably Scandinavian in its cool clarity and introspective depth.
Joe Henderson was known for his harmonic sophistication, melodic inventiveness, and ability to balance accessibility with adventurousness. Pernille Bévort channels these qualities without falling into the trap of imitation or acting “as if”. As one recent review noted, “the album features dynamic energy and melodic inventiveness that evokes Henderson’s spirit without attempting to replicate his voice”.
A Cup of Joe showcases the Bévort 3 trio’s versatility, moving fluidly between hard-swinging post-bop, bluesy explorations, and moments of Nordic introspection. The interplay between the three musicians is remarkable: Ankarfeldt’s bass work provides both melodic counterpoint and rhythmic foundation, while Laub von Lillienskjold’s drumming is responsive and imaginative, never settling into mere timekeeping.
The ten album’s original compositions demonstrate Pernille Bévort’s talent and strength as both a melodist and a talented musician. Each track offers sparkling material that serves as a launching pad for exploration. The trio navigates these compositions with the kind of innate understanding that comes from years of playing together. They’ve been honing this chemistry since their critically acclaimed albums On Fire (2021), Live 2020-2021 (2022), and Northbound (2024).
What sets this recording apart is the innate group cohesion. This isn’t a blowing session with bass and drums simply accompanying: the three musicians are engaged in a real and passionate conversation. Ankarfeldt’s bass lines are melodically rich and harmonically inventive, often engaging in call-and-response with Bévort’s saxophone. Listen to his solos on A Cup Of Joe and especially on It’s A Puzzle: he has the string touch of a double bass giant! Espen Laub von Lillienskjold displays remarkable dynamic sensitivity, knowing when to push and when to step back, when to colour with brushes and when to drive with sticks. Listen to his solos on Wakey Wakey and Will It Never End: these are the signature of a great jazz drummer full of feeling and sensitivity.
The solos of the three musicians throughout the album are excellent, melodically strong and harmonically sophisticated. Bévort demonstrates that she has thoroughly absorbed the lessons of the jazz tradition while maintaining her own modern voice. Her sound is personal, endearing and immediately recognizable, combining power with nuance.
Bévort and her trio have created an album that works both as a tribute and as a statement of their own artistic identity.
The production is clean and spacious, allowing the natural acoustics of the instruments to shine. The album contains ten new compositions, each more luminous and endearing than the last. An album that is a rainbow that lights up the start of the year.
The album’s first track, Simplicity, immediately announces the trio’s intentions: this is music that honours Henderson’s spirit while firmly establishing Bévort’s own voice. The composition is both melodically strong and harmonically sophisticated, giving all three players room to shine.
The album showcases the trio’s range, moving from bluesy explorations to more introspective Nordic soundscapes, always maintaining that essential swing and melodic clarity that characterized Henderson’s best work.
A Cup of Joe represents a significant evolution from Bévort 3’s previous release, Northbound (2024). While both albums showcase the trio’s exceptional chemistry and Bévort’s compositional gifts, they serve different artistic purposes.
The earlier album was inspired by life’s transient nature, aiming to capture the idea that nothing lasts forever, with the changing seasons of Scandinavian existence as its central metaphor. Reviews described it as featuring elegant melodies tinged with melancholy, puckish charm, and noirish tones. Tracks like the dreamy title track “Northbound” and the brooding “Pending Spring” exemplified this contemplative approach.
In contrast, A Cup of Joe looks outward rather than inward, engaging with jazz history and Henderson’s legacy with more overt swing and blues elements. Where Northbound evoked quiet Nordic landscapes and personal reflection, the new album is more extroverted and rhythmically vital, though it never abandons the trio’s signature sophistication.
For fans of jazz trio music, A Cup of Joe is essential listening. It demonstrates that the classic saxophone trio format, pioneered by Sonny Rollins and refined by Henderson and others, remains vital and relevant in capable hands. Bévort 3 proves that you can honour tradition while pushing forward, that you can be both deeply rooted and freely innovative.
This album serves multiple purposes: it’s a fitting tribute to Joe Henderson’s legacy, a showcase for Bévort’s immense talent as a player and composer, and a testament to the power of a truly fantastic trio. Most importantly, it’s simply beautiful, engaging jazz music that rewards both casual listening and deep attention.
In raising a cup to Joe Henderson, Pernille Bévort and her trio have given us something to savour, an album that respects the past while speaking eloquently to the present moment. It’s a reminder that great jazz is timeless, transcending borders and generations to speak a universal language of creativity, emotion, and swing.
Frankie Pfeiffer
Editor in chief – PARIS-MOVE
PARIS-MOVE, February 2nd 2026
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Musicians – Bévort 3:
Pernille Bévort: tenor saxophone/ composition
Morten Ankarfeldt: double bass
Espen Laub von Lillienskjold: drums