JAZZ
ESBJORN SVENSSON TRIO Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 1 Jun; CCA, Glasgow, Sun 2 June 7
The remarkable rise of the Esbjorn Svensson Trio (otherwise known as EST) shows no sign of abating. The band were stars in Sweden for years before the rest of Europe began to take notice, but in the last eighteen months the trio have established themselves as the hottest ticket on the European jazz scene.
As is often the case with these things, it is hard to put your finger on precisely why they have suddenly captured the imagination of so many listeners. Their music is certainly both attractive and accessible, but the inevitable reissues of their early Swedish albums reveal that has long been the case.
They have a good rapport with audiences, and Svensson is adept at milking the crowd for a reaction in a style that owes more to rock than jazz, a tactic which Courtney Pine understands equally well.
Their new album, Strange Place For Snow (Svensson says the title has no real meaning), is not as immediately powerful a jazz statement as its predecessor, Good Morning, Suzie Soho, but its clever appropriation of contemporary pop and dance music may well broaden their appeal even further.
The pianist linked up with bassist Dan Berglund and drummer Magnus Ostrom (a childhood buddy) in 1993, and they built a big home following with their individual take on contemporary jazz, outselling the likes of Britney Spears in Sweden. They are a genuine band and all three play a full
Music
Oops they did it again: in Sweden the trio are bigger than Britney
part in creating their distinctive sound.
‘I think that is the most important thing,’ Svensson agrees. ‘We have been working together for several years now, and although it sounds on the surface as if there are lots of changes in our music, it is still those three personalities behind it. There are a lot of fantastic jazz musicians out there, but it is very hard to find
a group who have their own sound. I think this trio has it, and that is one of the strongest things about us: we have a real band sound which is unique and personal.’
EST embark on their first tour of Scotland, with Brian Kellock as support. They call at Dumfries, Dundee and Aberdeen before the two central belt dates. (Kenny Mathieson)
CLASSICAL
RSNO PROMS
Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Thu 6-Sat 8 Jun; Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Wed 19-Sat 29 Jun
“Music for Everyone is the strapline of the RSNO's summer proms series this year. With classics ranging from Wagner to Beethoven, it's got to be true. In Edinburgh, the Verdi Reguiem can be heard in the Usher Hall. marking the RSNO'S return there for the first time Since September 2001 after the re-installation of the organ. Kids are well catered fOr too. with their own speCial Wild and Wicked afternoon about cowboys and dinosaurs.
There are 25 concerts in all. but if you can go to only one. then the Classical Gala Night gives a taste of Just about everything. Conducted by the
Start the proms with a bang
RSNO's associate conductor. y0ung Scot Garry Walker. and featuring tenor soloist Dominic Natoli in the heart-melting ‘NeSSun Dorma'. the programme is presented by broadcaster Dougie Vipond.
'These concerts really lend themselves to haying presenters.‘ says Vipond. 'We may be familiar with these pieces. but we don't always know very much about them.‘
But don't Just expect the stories about Carmen and her love life. “I've got my own experiences to draw on too.‘ says Vipond. who studied percussion at the RSAMD. ‘I once played the cannon part in the 1812 Overture in Glasgow's City Hall. We used an electronic incendiary device built by a student. It turned out to be almost more lethal than the real thing.” (Carol lvlain)
FOLK CARA DILLON The Arches, Glasgow, Thu 30 May
YOLngeT sister of Mary. the hugely expressive singer in the late. lamented Deanta. Cara Dillon's reputation continues to grow apace. even if 8808 Folk on 2 have 1qu awarded her their Best Newcomer award . . . obviOLisly feeling that her haVing been All-Ireland Champion traditional singer at age fourteen. vocalist on Mike Oldfieid's Tubu/ar Bells 3. and Kate Rusby's replacement in English
pop rootsters Equation was stii! somehow over the horizon.
Born in 1975. and brOught up in the family home of Dungiven. Donegal. where Cara's grandmother Sparked a love of song and the Irish tradition. Dillon spent most of her school holidays learning songs from great singers such as Paddy Tunney. and singing at fleadhs. festivals and the back rooms of pubs. She well remembers thinking. O\.’€l‘ as sl‘e shaped "tersef ‘0" university and a career in speech therapy. that ‘at the back of '71:. "(fail at one", gig I had this thing saying, my God. I want to spend the rest of my lfe s "g."g.' And. after many detOurs. .t seems she finally will be able to :le :2 her on."
First VlSIble in Scotland as one of the frighteningly ta=ented youngsters ' Northern Irish instrumental and vocal group Oige YOtlI'li. she was 'll'itXiEt?" she was asked to 10in Devon's Lakeman Brothers in Eguat ()'l. rel: achg Kate Rusby. The band was handled by Geoff Trays. manager of Pu n £t"(l fetnxici the respected indie label Rough Trade. He got them a record dea th \.'.'a"'*e' and set off a hallucinaIOry few years of minor llltlS'C-l)!/ excess ll‘ Lorne" a":: San FranCisco in a fruitless search for chart success. workii‘g :n stud es t" producers and engineers such as Robin Millar Sade. Exeryth-"g But The (fit aux: Ben Hillier lU2. Bluri.
Now. with her own new album on Rough Trade. and stzll t“. keyixximi it aye" Sam Lakeman, she's garnertng a widening audience and respect: she's e' ' new Ghostland album with Sinead O'Connor, Caroline Dale tt"’.l (lawn an songwriter Jar‘e Siberiy. deing what she says she's alwai, s (I‘JCU. \'. "e" " your family. you can't get ax'xay from the whole ll‘El(l.".l()l‘.. i loriha" (3";1 "‘ttrs:
In it for life
.’ THE LIST 39