Blue Pages – Jazz i Sverige 1997
The career of Blue Pages took off in 1996 when Copenhagen was the European Capital of Culture. The city of Malmö was invited to send a jazz ensemble across the Sound to represent the southern province of Scania during the so-called ARTgenda – a cultural biennial for young artists from countries around the Baltic Sea. I was among those whose task it was to select an appropriate jazz group.
What we were looking for was something new, modern, audacious, and representative of Malmö’s contemporary jazz scene. We found these qualities in the Jacob Karlzon Trio. We then expanded the group by including two musicians at the forefront of artistic innovation – Fredrik Carlquist and Henrik Frisk – and sent the whole gang off to Denmark.
I didn’t accompany them to Copenhagen, but a few months later I heard that the group had been a success there – that they had recorded for the radio, performed concerts in both Sweden and Denmark, and adopted the name Blue Pages. Then it struck me that I had never actually heard the group myself!
Today, I’m familiar with their work, and have been taken aback more than once by their free and unique manner of creating superb jazz. Blue Pages are the recipients of the “Jazz in Sweden” award and the accompanying invitation to a concert tour throughout the country. This mark of distinction, and these responsibilities, could not be in better hands.
– Magnus Bergkvist. (excerpt from the liner notes.)
Jazz i Sverige (“Jazz in Sweden”) was an award presented annually from 1972 to 2010 by Rikskonserter (Swedish Concert Institute) in collaboration with Caprice Records. The award was designed to promote emerging Swedish jazz talent. Recipients were given the opportunity to record an album on the Caprice label and tour Sweden with support from Rikskonserter. The award was discontinued after Rikskonserter was dissolved in December 2010.
Fredrik Carlquist – soprano and tenor saxophones
Henrik Frisk – soprano and tenor saxophones, bass clarinet, synthesizer
Jacob Karlzon – piano
Mattias Svensson – double bass
Peter Danemo – drums
In 1997, Blue Pages recorded their self-titled album at Bohus Sound Recording in Gothenburg. The album features compositions from all band members, showcasing thematic structures and simple ideas developed into sophisticated musical pieces with openness to various modern jazz styles. The group dissolved by the end of 1998.