ArtistInfo

Saskia Laroo
Jazzkia

Album NL 1999 on Laroo Records label
Jazz (Contemporary Jazz, Cool Jazz, Bop, Swing, Modal)

All songs recorded and mixed at Studio de Boventoon; Recorded by Hans Lugterink Mixed by Hans Lugterink: tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10; Mixed by Rob Gaasterland & Hans Lugterink: tracks 4, 5, 7, 11. Mastered by Rob Gaasterland at Studio de Boot, foating somewhere in Amsterdam Liner notes by Theodore M. Edwards; Song descriptions by Teddy Edwards Art Direction and design by Michael Kneebone at Toolbox Cover photography by Kees Tabak (courtesy of Heleen Schuttevaer for “Five times a lady”); Make-up & styling by Lena Tenaglia Back cover photography by Eric Schreurs Distributed by Bertus Distribution, Netherlands 1999 Laroo Records; Laroo Music; Laroo Productions www.laroorecords.com ; info@laroorecords.com Tel: +31 20 6834838 ; Fax: +31 20 6127688 ; Tel mob: +31 6 55713113 Wilhelminastraat 210 Hs, 1054 WV Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Europe. Liner Notes Trumpeteer extra ordinaire: This can easily be said of trumpeter SASKIA LAROO as her performances on this CD will attest. But they show only parts of her enormous talent and versatility as a musician and performer. Being a fine composer and multi-instrumentalist are further attributes that contributes to her uniqueness that should become evident in the not too distant future. Saskia Laroo began studying the trumpet at the tender age of seven. To make an attempt at playing the most physical demanding wind instrument at such a young age is admirable to say the least. She is to be further admired for becoming a conservatory graduate and earning the respect of her trumpet playing peers such as; Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton,Whynton Marsalis,Marcus Printup,Jon Faddis,Riley Mullins,Freddy Hubbard and many other fine players she has performed with or who have heard her perform. Her list of admirers does not stop with trumpet players, it extends into a long list of other musicians and entertainers she's been affiliated with that includes George Coleman,Slyde Hampton,Billy Higgins, Hans and Candy Dulfer, Ronnie Cuber,Maceo Parker,Cees Slinger, yours truly Teddy Edwards and many others as the list goes on and on. Saskia has dreams and aspirations of spreading her music to all corners of the earth for musiclovers everywhere to enjoy, as of now,I think she has made a very good start. Her records and video's are rapidly moving into different markets around the world. She has performed with a variety of groups of which she was leader throughout the European and African continents, the far east and several American cities. Currently she is scheduled to perform in mainland China. "Jazzkia" a very appropriate title for her first (strictly) jazz recording, and I'm happy to say the standard and quality here, is very high in my opinion. She has surrounded herself with an excellent cast of musicians: Albert Sarko piano,Jos Machteld bass and Martin van Duynhoven, adding immensely to this very fine outing. Her well executed and heartfelt performances exemplifies jazz is high on her list of musical priorities. You may have noticed this CD was produced for Laroo Records: A company formed by Saskia not to be in competition with established record companies, but to help assure that her works and the works of some others she admires such as her mentor Hans Dulfer be heard. By now, you may have wondered how I came into the picture. Well, I was in the Amsterdam area to perform at the "Meervaart" auditorium as part of the international jazz festival in 1978 with pianist Jack Wilson, bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Billy Higgins. I was also slated to do a clinic that afternoon, and unfortunately, our luggage and music were lost at the airport in London. And while I was tryimg to put something together in a hurry, a young lady came over and asked if she could help amd joined in immediately. I must say, without her diligence and hard work I would not have made it on time. That was the beginning of our friendship. The guys in the group recognized her hard work and sincerety, and throughout the years her name has come up between us, wondering where she was and how she was doing, especially with her music. Some twenty years later, I was at the North Sea Jazz Festival performing with fellow tenor saxophonist Houston Person and the Rein de Graaff Trio. So we met again at the all night jam session in the Belair Hotel. In fact, we exchanged a few words while she was on the bandstand and playing beautifully. After a few more words I realised time had not diminished our friendship but had served to enhance it. We corresponded sparingly and eventually decided to do a recording together with the idea of trying for some gigs whenever our individual schedules will allow. By the time THIS CD is released, hopefully we will have recorded. At the present, we are looking forward to our New York debut as a team at the Iridium Jazz Club. 1. The first song is a Laroo/Macnack composition, SPIN. Played at a brisk tempo as the rhythm section was setting the stage for Saskia with an instant groove. The bassplayer sounds as if he is walking through a beautiful garden of "bloemen" (Dutch for flowers) exhibiting love and care with every step as the drums cruise along from the very first beat. The piano glides on top with tasty spirited lines as Saskia waits in the wing. The curtain is drawn and she steps out to deliver the theme crisply and decisively. Some of the phrases seem to be doing an answer or echoing type of thing that leads up to some breaks that she fills with grace and authority, with her warm muted sound. After stating the theme they shift to another level for the ad lib solos that sustains throughout the track. After the solos they return to the theme and ends abrubtly, producing an element of surprise. 2. BLUE AND GREEN, is next in line; written and performed by the late great trumpeter Miles Dewey Davis with his quintet. It opens with Saskia and Albert in rubato duo mode before being joined briefly in tempo by Jos and Martin and returns to the duo with Saskia ending it on a solo note. Very well done. 3. The piano solo introduction sets this one up nicely: BYE BYE BLACKBIRD, a perennial favorite, done in a straight ahead swinging fashion. Everybody gets a taste on this one. Saskia sets the pace beautifully and the piano, bass and drums respond accordingly with some brilliant performances before returning to the melody and finishing with a cleverly executed tag. 4. The fourth track is a Sonny Rollins line which has become a favorite on jam sets. Saskia opens this one in a solo manner for a few measures before Martin joins her on the drums, creating a calypso atmosphrere and later doing his solo thing. The rest of the rhythm section and Saskia join him on the last chorus. A superb performance one of which Sonny Rollins could be proud of. Oh Yeah ! The name of this tune is ST.THOMAS. 5. GOOD MORNING DR.LAROO a Saskia Laroo original based on a whole tone scale, is an up tempo vehicle with several breaks amply covered by Saskia and Albert Sarko. Trumpet and piano respectively. This track is of short duration. I would like to have heard more. It really swings. 6. MY FUNNY VALENTINE : A Rogers and Hart classic introduced to the jazz musicians by a young trumpet player who went around Los Angeles in knee pants making the jam sessions named CHET BAKER. He eventually recorded it with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet, possibly their most successful recording. I believe he would have been proud of Saskias' rendition. Five stars for this one: ***** 7. PERDIDO: Composed by Juan Tizol the valve trombone player and composer, with the great Duke Ellington Orchestra that popularized it back in the nineteen forties. It was further popularized by Norman Granz Jazz at the Philharmonic. He also penned another Ellington classic, Caravan. Again, Saskia her solo melody thing nicely before the rhythm section joins in with a lively pulsating rhythm. After her highly spirited solo she passes the solo plate to the pianist for a taste and he in turn passes it to the bass player and then they head for home. 8. Again they move into the realm of Rollins playing his ever popular DOXY. Right away they moved closer to the funk department with Martin revealing just enough of an after beat so you can feel it more so than hear it. Done very discretely. Saskia displays a variety of inflections during her solo that enhanced it greatly. In the mean time her feeling for the blues was the underlying factor. Then Albert follows with his funky movements, adding a dash of Harry "Sweets" Edisons' center piece for a bit of extra flavor. This one cooks on all burners. 9. This one BUT NOT FOR ME has a strong Miles Davis flavor, utilizing his kind of use of space which he learned from a master of timing; the great pianist Ahmad Jamal. Another very nice introduction by the pianist Albert Sarko. Saskia, she comes through again. This tempo seems to have given Jos a much better chance to express himself and to display his facility on the bass. Martin stayed subdued beneath him with an occasional accent at the right time. 10. ROUND MIDNIGHT, the Thelonious Monk masterpiece is next on the menu. Again Saskia and Albert do that duo thing until Jos joins them at the bridge and Martin joining them somewhere along the way. On this one her breath control helps to reveal her sensitivity as well as the intensity ahe is able to generate. At times it seems the mute is so full of air, it might burst. She also shows she can insert the blues on command. This is a very fine rendition of a classic piece of work. 11. SO WHAT: Another Miles Davis vehicle that was created with the great bass player Paul Chambers in mind. He was featured playing it on a Miles Davis Quintet album during the fifties. Incidentally, Paul made his last recording with me on my "Nothing but the truth" album for Prestige Records. Through the years the tempo of this song has speeded up and bassist Martin van Duynhoven came out the starting blocks at full throttle, stating the theme. Albert joins him in unison on the second eight measures. This time Saskia dis-mutes her trumpet and the brilliance of her open horn sound came shining through like a beacon of light. This one is hitting on all cylinders. A real burner ! Take my advice, kick back, relax, and enjoy this beautiful music excursion. Jazzkialy yours,saxophonist, Teddy Edwards

Musicians

	Saskia Laroo tr, *1959 NL producer, trumpet, album by
	Jos Machtel cb, b, *1962 BE bass
	Martin van Duynhoven drums
	Lena Tenaglia , other, styling & visagist
	Albert Sarko p, voc, ss, DE piano

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