Swedish Lars Danielsson is one of Europe’s leading jazz bassists, known for his lyrical and melodic playing style, and crafted by his background as a classical cellist. Inspired by Nils-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, he turned his attention to jazz at an early age, swiftly becoming sought after as a support act for several international jazz stars.
But Danielsson has never been content with playing an accompanying role. He has always been a creative composer, belonging to a relatively rare group of bassists who have also distinguished themselves as important bandleaders.
In many ways, Danielsson discovered the essence of his many forms of expression in 2012 – as well as the right name for them: Liberetto. The newly established word “describes a specific mood in which I want to develop my music,” he says. “It builds on my previous albums – also linguistically – with its reference to classical music.” The album Liberetto, featuring Armenian star pianist Tigran Hamasyan, Esbjörn Svensson Trio drummer Magnus Öström, British guitarist John Parricelli and trumpeter Arve Henriksen, unveiled a new balance between jazz, classical music, pop and European folk music. It simultaneously paved the way for novel methods of using compositional processes and dramaturgy in jazz. The project was so successful that it continues to this day.
Lars Danielsson is set to attend Maijazz flanked by a star quartet featuring the aforementioned Öström and Parricelli, plus a new and different addition in the form of French-Caribbean pianist Grégory Privat. A concert with Lars Danielsson clearly displays what makes him so special: technical brilliance, a living and constantly creative musical imagination, and an almost telepathic musicality in interaction with others.
Photo: Sisi Kreft
Time and place:
Stavangeren, 7th. May, 19:00 hrs.