MusicWeb International

Webmaster: Len Mullenger

[ Jazz index ] [Nostalgia index]  [ Classical MusicWeb ] [ Gerard Hoffnung ]

BUY NOW AmazonUK   AmazonUS

YNGVIL VATN GUTTU On The Crosswalk Kachemak Records KR 003

1. On the Crosswalk

2. Blue North For 4

3. Broadway Bomb

4. Love Carry Me

5. Meander

6. Cortisol

7. Sov

8. Plan B

9. Blue North For 2

10. 1741

11. Sorgenfri (For K)

Yngvil Vatn Guttu - Trumpet

Zulfugar Baghirov - Tenor sax (tracks 1, 6)

Matt Di Giovanna - Tenor Sax (tracks 3, 4)

Nick Grinder - Trombone (track 3)

Renato Diz - Piano

Joe Goehle - Bass

Alex Da Silva - Bass (track 4)

Marieke Wiening - Drums

Yngvil Vatn Guttu is a Norwegian-born musician and composer of great versatility. That comment applies not simply to her instrumental skills (she plays trumpet, acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards and willow flute) but also to the variety of contexts and styles she has embraced. She has been resident in Alaska since 2002 but can regularly be found in New York City and Oslo, too. Her qualifications include a post-graduate diploma in trumpet from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. On this third album to appear under her own name, crowd-funded through Hatchfund, she has assembled a diverse group of New York City-based musicians.

The result is engaging, to say the least. Broadway Bomb, for instance, romps along at times with Gutta on trumpet, Nick Grinder on trombone and Matt Di Giovanna on tenor going through their paces, and the band overall demonstrating some fine ensemble work. Yet there is also within this same piece interesting changes of mood and pace. Or sample Love Carry Me where a pensive piano, pure-toned trumpet and moody, expansive tenor create an evocative atmosphere. Meander lives up to its name. This is a lovely melody delivered by Guttu with sensitivity, sometimes fiercely so. And how about the lyrical 1741 which begins as another slow burner then segues into a theme which allows Guttu further scope to show why she is such a find. Other treats include Sov, where bassist Joe Goehle is prominent in the exploration of this romantic tune, and Plan B, a gently appealing melody. Mareike Wiening, who is consistently excellent on drums, deserves special mention, too.

The only track I felt was less successful was Cortisol which, for me, lacked coherence though even here there were moments of quality. This disc, however, will serve as a fitting introduction to an emerging talent of great potential as a jazz trumpet player and composer. More please!

James Poore

Error processing SSI file

Return to Index