PUBLISHED: Apr 18, 2013
DESCRIPTION:
S TEVE - if you can't stop it Bop it!
The Swedish jazz group Steve, headed by cornet player Anders Ellman and singer Karina Kampe, released its' first album "Farmers Market" in 2011. It was was greeted by great reviews, especially for well crafted original tunes as well as vocal improvisations. The band has since been touring throughout Sweden as well as Estonia, Germany and Finland to further widen their fan base.
Inspiration for the band comes from the 50's and 60's golden age of jazz. Some influential role models are Miles Davies, Lambert, Hendrix & Ross, Ella Fitzgerald, Freddie Hubbard and Art Farmer. Improvisation is an important element in the music as is the creative freedom of all the group players. The band has been known to deliver not only fine music, but also a very captivating and professional stage performance.
In September 2013 the follow up album "Ella the Cat is to be released" consisting of a well tempered mixture of original tunes as well as re arranged classics such as "Black Coffee", "This Masquerade" and "Up Jumped Spring".
With this new album the group hopes to further conquer the ears of the European jazz lovers and widen their borders by touring.
MEMBERS
Anders Ellman (flugelhorn and cornet) has recently made a name on the Swedish jazz scene as a member of the three-horned group Ellman-Larsson Constellation where he partners with base trombone veteran Sven Larsson and saxophone player Cecilia Wennerström. ELC plays in the Swedish style of Rolf Ericson, Lars Färnlöf and Lars Gullin. The group released its' debut CD in 2009 named "Consequences".
Karina Kampe (vocals) is a very versatile and talented singer well acquainted with the language of jazz. As a gifted composer Karina contributes to Steve's repertoire with original musical pieces. She has also produced new lyrics to previously non-vocalized songs by Wayne Shorter, Frank Rosalino and Miles Davies. "As Silent as Dawn came" released with the group Three Small Giants in May 2008 met great reviews from the Swedish press. Karina is a graduate of the acclaimed Berklee College of Music in Boston USA.
Petter Carlson (piano, alto horn) has during the last year played in most Swedish jazz venues with the Claes Lindqvists nonet where both his piano and horn playing is in focus. Petter is also a member of the Peter Asplund/Martin Sjöstedt Dektett. As comfortable in the classical style as in jazz Petter was a member of the Norrköping symphony as a horn player in the 80's and 90's. Arranging is another of his talents. Petter has his training from the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm and the University of Miami.
Ulf Hammarstrand (Double bass) is an adaptable and musical bass player with much experience from both jazz and pop groups. Ulf has also collaborated with the very prominent guitar player Johan Leijonhufvud who recently has had great success In Germany. Ulf has his training from the university of music in Malmoe, Sweden.
Mats Jadin (Drums) has talents as well in theater as in music. Many Swedish jazz stars have had the pleasure of being backed by Mats' perceptive yet forceful drums. Worth mentioning are Bernt Rosengren, Jan Allan, Peter Gullin and Anders Ullberg. A part from Steve Mats also joins singer Helena Eriksson's quintet where the legacy of Swedish singer Monica Zetterlund is cherished. Mats is also a permanent member of the Skotte acting company.
"This is one of the best and most appreciated concerts in all of our 14 years of running the club! "
Björn Clarin of SWEJS jazz Club Sweden 2013
"I came here tonight expecting an unknown band I hadn't heard before -
But wow, this was so much more!! " Audience member at Bb Club, Berlin March 2013
"... And so my jazz nerve shivers with full force. Karina Kampe is the name of a singer that makes my idea of female jazz singers finally get a positive push...This woman says she was born in these parts, she studied at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, and she embarks on the task of putting lyrics to original songs written by the likes of Miles Davis, Frank Rosolino and Wayne Shorter. Karina Kampe implements a thoroughly jazzy program. She and the band makes music together and I would rather call this an equal collaboration rather than a quartet with vocals." Nalle Nilson at Täby jazz club nov 2011, review in Orkesterjournalen on line http://korta.nu/bjv0c
