In today’s Wall Street Journal, I write about the surprise circumstance that led to the finest trio album of Jan Lundgren’s career. All but unknown—and unreviewed—in the United States, Together Again…At The Jazz Bakery features the Swedish pianist with bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Joe LaBarbera in a recording they didn’t know was being made. The CD was voted Record Of The Year in the British magazine Jazz Journal’s critics poll. I gave it first place in the new Rhapsody critics poll.
From the Wall Street Journal piece:
In concerts Mr. Lundgren often credits Oscar Peterson, who died in 2007, with igniting his passion for jazz. He does so again in his most
recent album as he introduces his poignant, unaccompanied performance of “Tenderly,” a song indelibly associated with Peterson. The album is remarkable on two counts: for the playing of Mr. Lundgren, Mr. Berghofer and Mr. La Barbera; and for existing at all. It was not intended to become an album.
To read the whole thing, see the print edition of the Journal or, for a limited time click here to read the online version.