For large numbers of people, Nils Landgren’s Christmas albums are now a part of their holiday season, just like advent calendars or mistletoe. Seventeen years ago, trombonist/singer Landgren, one of the brightest stars in the European jazz firmament, brought together so-me of his closest musical companions. To get themselves into the mood for Christmas, they set off on a tour of churches in Sweden and Germany. The album which resulted from that first tour, “Christmas With My Friends” was described by one critic as “the most beautiful of all Christ-mas CDs.” Ever since then, Landgren and his friends have been repeating this special way of celebrating Christmas every other year. That time has come round again: “Christ-mas With My Friends VIII” is ready to take its place among the presents under the tree.
These albums all have a wealth of different moods and colours, and that is what makes them so special, as each musician brings their own highly individual contribution. There is Landgren himself with his unrivalled flexible and velvety-smooth trombone, Jonas Knutsson with his lyrical saxophone playing, Johan Norberg and his folky guitar tone. Here for the first time, we also hear the sonorous bass of Clas Lassbo. Above all, however, it is the vocalists who give each track on the album its own special character, and also complement each other perfectly: the classical soprano singing of Jeanette Köhn, the bittersweet soul of Ida Sand, the radiant clarity of Jessica Pilnäs, the powerful blues of Sharon Dyall and, last but not least, the bright soul of Nils Landgren himself.
The repertoire which Landgren – _and increasingly his friends – _choose is also remarkable for its many colours and for the extensive research work which has gone into finding it. There are carols, Christmas songs from pop and jazz, songs which are played all over the world appear alongside songs unknown outside their countries of origin; there is a range from evergreens to rarities.
Nils Landgren’s Christmas Tours are an institution. Seasonal but never corny, with polished musicianship and simple intimacy…
Againt his year from December 17th till December 22nd Christmas with my friends will be in Germany & Sweden: check the dates! http://www.nilslandgren.com/tour-dates/
