| Liner notes by Bob Brookmeyer
It has been a very interesting and informative 22 years, working (and living for 4 years) in Europe, mainly in and north of Holland.
Jazz has become, and rightly so, an international means of expression. Denmark and Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands – all developing
individual voices, becoming less dependent on the United States for inspiration and establishing a mentality that relishes the "place
in which I live." The place where The Orchestra lives is a city that offers support and encouragement to players, writers and audiences.
Copenhagen boasts the Radio Jazz Orchestra, the Copenhagen Art Ensemble and this fine group of musicians, who are dedicated to new music
and to each other.
Having had six members of The Orchestra as students in my Composers’ Workshop (courtesy of Erik Moseholm and the Rhythmic Conservatory),
I quite naturally have a little bias toward anything they do. Lars' last piece on the CD, "Christmas Quarrels," immediately
rang bells and alarms all over my body. It was his graduation piece and I remembered many of the issues we worked on – usually "more,
more, more." He was a patient man, making change after change and with an open mind and heart and his innate musicality never wavered.
Jesper was also a joy to work with. He had monstrous enthusiasm and possessed great talent and we would look at the many different aspects
of his musical world with open hearts and minds. I think he could be more impressionistic in his world view and in his writing and he
was both focused and wild – an interesting combination for us both. Two gifted men.
Their "voice": The Orchestra, performs one of the rare functions in music – they play as if they love the music AND each
other and they give life to the written page, the key element in expression. Many professional bands play well, but there is often something
missing at the center. This band has a strong and unified center and a sense of the power and magic that music can transmit. I have come
to believe that "professionals" are one of the problems we face – groups that are organized for music, not money, make
it possible to move ahead. My New Art Orchestra (almost all European) has the same belief – music first and last. Money comes after,
if at all.
Since I live in a Plutocracy, where Politics equal Corporate Support, it is very heartening to see a city flourish and contribute so
much to so many. In the US, it's "back to the future" and that is tragic. In Europe, it's "straight ahead, full steam"
and that is the way I feel we should be going. The "new" has been very confused over the past
30-40 years, in all the arts. The "good" is still the way we can find out what is the next step forward. Blowing up the present
– or living in the past – does not work. The Orchestra is solidly placed to become a major voice in the world of creative music.
Now, for some personal pleasures to my ears – I LOVE drums and drummers (being a frustrated drummer from childhood) and Morten
Lund is my kind of guy – involved, active and present! He is never "keeping time" (that awful phrase) but pushes and prods
and decorates. Lars is a masterful soloist and has incredible chops, enough to make a grown trombone player cry. Jesper is a "music
maker," carefully creating musical statements that fit together and make a whole. I also enjoyed Nikolai – I don't hear many
trombone players that move me and he had my interest. Everyone else did a fine job and have my compliments. Peter and his clarinet were
very welcome – I have one also now in my band and he too has an individual voice.
In case you are curious, Claus (a very good player), Christina (the White Note Exercise Queen), Jakob and Niels were the other members
of what was one of my favorite groups in MY history to work with. I was around Copenhagen for some 18 years – with the Radio Big
Band, later conducting it for a while, with special projects at the Radio and this wonderful Workshop. I now teach at the New England
Conservatory and I have "students" – some good ones, but you people over there got me spoiled. I miss you and the talent
and the energy and the creative sparks that would fly and the city that gives you a home. My congratulations on this CD and I now await
the next one. Need a traveling composer? I'll volunteer.
Best wishes and a musically rich future.
Bob Brookmeyer
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