Masqualero
Masqualero (1983–1991) was a Norwegian jazz group. Originally named "The Arild Andersen/Jon Christensen Quintet", the group soon changed its name to Masqualero[1] in celebration of the Wayne Shorter composition.[2] Masqualero recorded four albums, three of which were awarded the Spellemannsprisen.[3] The group were considered an important influence on the evolution of Nordic jazz[4][5] and have subsequently become known as a 'Norwegian supergroup'.[2][6]
Masqualero | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Oslo, Norway |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Years active | 1983–1991 |
| Labels | Odin, ECM |
| Members | Arild Andersen Jon Christensen Tore Brunborg Nils Petter Molvær Jon Balke Frode Alnæs |
| Website | www |
Biography
Conceived by Arild Andersen (double bass) and Jon Christensen (drums) as a vehicle for their talents, the ensemble assumed a group dynamic with the inclusion of Jon Balke (keyboards), Tore Brunborg (saxophone) and Nils Petter Molvær (trumpet), all of whom contributed compositions to the group's recordings.[2] The group dynamic was considered by Andersen to be an important component of Masqualero's sound, with a keen focus on musical interplay such that no single player was a soloist or leader.[7] Balke left the group following the release of Bande a Part in 1986, to be replaced by Frode Alnæs (guitar) on Masqualero's third album, Aero. The group performed as a quartet for their final album, Re-Enter, recording with neither a pianist or guitarist.[2]
As frequent recipients of the prestigious Spellemannprisen, Masqualero are influential for being an early distillation of the Nordic or Scandinavian jazz style,[5] a style which has continued to be developed by its original members through other musical projects.[8]
In recent interviews Andersen has expressed regret that the band changed its name to 'Masqualero',[7] since both he and Christensen were well known in Scandinavia and even internationally.[2] Recognition of Masqualero's music was therefore lower than it should have been, while the name also gave a false impression of the group's music. While performing in Santa Monica, Andersen has noted that audience members, who were unfamiliar with the group's music, thought Masqualero was a "Mexican salsa band".[7]
Honors
- Spellemannprisen 1983 for Masqualero
- Spellemannprisen 1986 for Bande a Part
- Spellemannprisen 1991 for Re-Enter
References
- "Masqualero Biography - SNL.no". Store Norske Leksikon (in Norwegian)
- Kelman, John (8 January 2015). "Masqualero: Masqualero". AllAboutJazz. Elite Cafemedia. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- Tucker, Michael (March 2020). "Obituary: Jon Christensen". Jazz Journal. Jazz Journal. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- Jenkins, Todd S. (2004). Free Jazz and Free Improvisation. Greenwood Press. p. 12. ISBN 9780313333132. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- Nicholson, Stuart (2014). Is Jazz Dead? Or Has It Moved to a New Address. London: Taylor & Francis. p. 210. ISBN 9781136730931. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- Bares, William (2011). "Sounds of Silence: The Politics and Poetics of Norwegian". American Music Review. XLI (1). Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- Biermann, I.J.; Andersen, Arild (2019). "ECM50 - 1991 Arild Andersen on Masqualero". YouTube. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- Medbøe, Haftor (2019) [1st pub. 2019]. "Chapter 7: Cold commodities: Discourses of decay and purity in a globalised jazz world". In Howell, Tim (ed.). The Nature of Nordic Music. Sage. pp. 123–138. ISBN 9781315462851.