Sax Appeal

Description

Nils Lindberg (1933-2022), a pioneer of Swedish jazz, composer, and pianist, left a lasting mark on various musical genres. In 1960, he recorded this album consisting of seven tracks, four of which showcase his unique fusion of jazz, Swedish folk music, and classical influences. A crucial element for the success of the project was the quality of the musicians engaged by Lindberg: Rolf Billberg (alto sax), Harry Bäcklund (tenor sax), Allan Lundström (tenor sax), Lars Gullin (baritone sax), Sture Nordin (bass), and Conny Svensson (drums). Collectively recognized as the Swedish modern jazz group, they were skillfully organized and led by Lindberg, contributing to the overall excellence of the album. Lindberg drew inspiration from Swedish folklore in compositions such as "Curbits," "Play for Love," and "Zodiac." Particularly noteworthy, "Brand New" stood out for its exclusively Swedish style and original construction, presented as a suite with interconnected pieces. The remaining tracks, "Blues for Bill" and "Birdland," added further jazz diversity to the album. "Just a Take," featuring the improvisation of Lars Gullin and Rolf Billberg, emerged as a standout piece and proved to be one of the highlights of this album. Titled "Sax Appeal," the album, originally released on the Swedish label Barben Records, not only captured Lindberg's innovative approach but also showcased the exceptional musicality of all the musicians involved in this project. The last four tracks were recorded by the orchestra that successfully performed on Studio A, the pioneering jazz television show in Sweden that aired weekly. This ensemble included a mix of young jazz veterans and promising newcomers, under the enthusiastic leadership of conductor Nils Lindberg. These recordings were later released in 1962 on a Columbia EP titled "Jazz in TV Time."