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Highlights from the lowlands

by Jan-Erik Holmberg

"The trio swings seriously and authentically, but also gives a taste of the countryside Americana. Sandberg’s clean execution is sophisticated."

Jazz is happening also in Ostrobothnia, a geographically flat region some 400 kilometers north of Helsinki. Born in the town of Jakobstad, guitar man Mathias Sandberg is one of the leading forces of jazz in nearby town Vasa.

After stints and stays in Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, the guitarist turned homewards.

The eight tunes very much lay on the foundations of hardbop, bringing to mind masters of the era, such as Wes Montgomery, but also later luminaries like Pat Metheny.

All pieces are by Sandberg, save a Coltranesque rendering of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

The trio swings seriously and authentically, but also gives a taste of the countryside Americana. Sandberg’s clean execution is sophisticated.

MATHIAS SANDBERG: The Doctor 

Mathias Sandberg, guitar
Zacharias Holmkvist, bass
Stefan Brokvist, drums

Sandberg Music SCD 003