gasassorteddypendergrass
The way it all locks in as a group effort, supportive and complimentary, is what makes it a phenomenal album, it has that togetherness magic. Favorite Track: Holgers Vuggevise
Vente (The Danish word for "wait") is the sixth album and the latest result, of a long-running collaboration between drummer Emil de Waal, clarinetist Elith "Nulle" Nykjær, multi-musician Gustaf Ljunggren and hammond organist Dan Hemmer.
Emil de Waal is the main man behind the project Vente. He has played drums with an impressive line-up of names in Danish rock, pop and jazz, ranging from Bagdad Dagblad, over Old News and Maluba Orchestra, to his current band Kalaha, an ensemble known for mixing electronic music with elements of jazz and African music, who just released their fourth album in February, 2021 on April Records. Emil de Waal has played within all genres of music and this is something that can be heard in all of the nine tracks on Vente.
Elith "Nulle" Nykjær, who is 84 years old, is a living legend in Danish jazz and has had an impressive career as an actor, writer, musician and composer at DR (The Danish Broadcasting Corporation). Since the late '80s, he has toured in both Europe and in the US with his ensemble, Nulle & Verdensorkestret ("Nulle & The World Orchestra") and the repertoire of this very popular group has affected the repertoire on Vente.
Gustaf Ljunggren was born in Stockholm, Sweden and lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he studied to become a saxophone player at The Rhythmic Music Conservatory. He became a household name in Denmark when he was the bandleader on the Danish talkshow 'Det Nye Talkshow' in the period 2009- 2011. He has performed and recorded with a wide variety of artists, such as Robyn, Teitur and Caroline Henderson. Ljunggren is often referred to as a "multi-instrumentalist" and he masters both wind instruments, strings and keys. This ability of his has been a great asset in his collaboration with Emil de Waal, which has been running for more than 20 years already.
Dan Hemmer is known as one half of the duo, Lindberg Hemmer Foundation, with the late, great Danish cult figure, entertainer and bass player, Morten Lindberg aka Master Fatman. Besides that, Hemmer has played with virtually everyone within all genres of music, and over the last decade or so, he and Danish saxophonist Michael Blicher, have been playing with none less than American funk master - drummer Steve Gadd.
The four musicians on Vente all come from their individual musical backgrounds, bringing with them elements of their personal history. And when they get together to play, they don't intend for the music to come out in any particular way - it just has to feel right for all of them. This free-spirited approach to playing music, combined with the album's delicate mixture of originals, written by various members of the ensemble, and carefully selected jazz-standards, played with the group's groovy personal touch, gives the music on Vente a nostalgic, yet timeless, quality. Listening to Vente puts you in a mellow and comfortable state of mind and gives you a much-needed break in these trying times. Vente is the perfect soundtrack for a lazy day in on your own or a relaxing evening with your loved ones.
credits
released July 2, 2021
Emil de Waal: Drums and percussion
Elith ”Nulle” Nykjær: Clarinet
Dan Hemmer: Organ
Gustaf Ljunggren: Electric guitar, lap steel guitar, mandola, celeste, marimba, clarinet
Produced by Emil de Waal
All tracks recorded by Thomas Vang at The Village Recording, June 2020
except ‘Such Sweet Thunder’, which was recorded live by Dan Hemmer
at Ingolfs Kaffebar during Copenhagen Jazz Festival, 2018
Mixed and mastered by August Wanngren at We Know Music Studios
Cover artwork by Lis Hooge-Hansen
Cover design by Enrico Andreis
Photos by Emil Monty Freddie
Liner Notes by Jens Jørn Gjedsted
I normally only listen to electronic music, but after listening to this album months ago I found it kept calling out to me. Now after purchasing it I can see why. I am totally addicted to its beauty and harmony. Thank you so much for the wax version, as it is the only form of music I collect. kaosskid
In his review Joe Borreson nailed it when he noted that this music is somehow bigger than the sum of its parts… and the parts are good too. Alchemy might be involved. As I float through the bright, dreamy realm of the keyboard, I am captured and grounded by the texture of each drumbeat, a relaxed vigilance to detail sets in… I like music that teaches me how to listen errantzephyr