| Jazz |
In the lineage of deeply inspired jazz albums from Northern Europe, here is a composer and trumpeter who will certainly leave no one untouched, using his instrument like a storyteller who gently takes you by the hand and guides you into his world. His style, compositions, and masterful arrangements create an experience that is uniquely his own. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, and trained at the Royal College of Music as well as the Jazz-Institut Berlin, Erik Palmberg has been performing regularly with his group since the release of their debut album, First Lines, in 2018. With the arrival of his second album, In Between, in 2021, Erik achieved wider recognition both in Sweden and internationally. In 2022, *In Between* also won the reader’s poll for the prestigious Gyllene Skivan award. His style has been described as deeply rooted in jazz tradition yet imbued with a modern Nordic touch, his music seen as poetic, emotional, and rendered with a profoundly lyrical quality.
Indeed, Erik Palmberg is to the trumpet what Esbjörn Svensson was to the piano, a form of visionary genius that, over the course of each piece, reveals itself to be increasingly impressive. His work reflects a cultural vision far beyond mere local expression, embracing a global perspective. His melodic lines, though distinctly Nordic, are also influenced by the visions of great American artists while still retaining a uniquely recognizable style. It’s also insightful to read the perspective of photographer and writer Debbie Burke, whose article on Erik can be found here: [Debbie Burke Creative]
As the review on All About Jazz in 2022 aptly noted, “Although Palmberg draws from a variety of trumpeters, from Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis to Tom Harrell and Kenny Wheeler, he has now developed his own signature sound. It is characterized by precise articulation across a wide range of notes and an innate sense of guiding the music in the desired direction.”
Erik and his group undertook an extensive tour in Sweden from 2022-2023, performing in the country’s largest venues and featuring at the Stockholms Kulturfestival. They also toured in Germany in 2022, sharing their music with German musicians and audiences alike.
This album will leave no one indifferent. While complex in structure, the music remains immediately accessible thanks to its melodic lines. Erik Palmberg’s playing embodies the uniquely Nordic sound and vision found only among Northern European musicians, as each culture brings its distinct qualities. Supported by the remarkable talents of Anton Dromberg, Niklas Wennström, and Sebastian Voegler, each musician is as impressive as the trumpeter and leader. Listening to this latest album, it’s clear that every note has been carefully crafted, that this is no random creation, but rather a music almost literary in its richness and depth.
Jazz enthusiasts, even those with a penchant for more traditional jazz, will find much to love here. The year 2024 has brought us a renewal, with many artists producing passionate work since the first Covid period. This quartet brings joy, a gift we eagerly embrace and place at the very top of our “essentials” pile, proud to have it.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, November 2nd 2024
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