Jan Harbeck Quartet - The Sound The Rhythm

2019 release

The charismatic tenor saxophonist and composer Jan Harbeck has previously released four albums in his own name on Stunt Records. He’s won a Danish Music Award, as well as having received both the Bent Jædig and Ben Webster Prizes. Harbeck and his steady band of many years have long been an important presence on most of Denmark’s jazz stages, also enjoying great success around Europe. Over the last decade, the band’s releases have been among the absolute best-selling Danish instrumental jazz records. In addition to his own quartet, Jan Harbeck plays with orchestras including the Tivoli Big Band, Niels Jørgen Steen’s Monday Night Big Band, The Orchestra, and in drummer Snorre Kirk’s band.

Harbeck’s expressive, outgoing playing continues in the great Swing tradition. Completely original and extremely stylish, he’s a musician who digs deep and understands the importance of presence. Few others are able to blow so much soul into a jazz ballad. As Thomas Michelsen wrote in Politiken, “we once had Ben Webster to awaken the soul. Today we have Jan Harbeck!”

It’s actually strange that the 43-year-old tenor saxophonist didn’t release a tribute to “Big Ben” before now – the legend lived in Copenhagen for a number of years, is buried there, and continues to inspire – but here it comes.

Jan Harbeck (tenor sax) Henrik Gunde (piano) Eske Nørrelykke (bass) Anders Holm, Morten Ærø (drums) + Jan zum Vohrde (alto sax)