New Music: Terje Gewelt, The Old Tree

Norwegian bassist Terje Gewelt released an album of new compositions, The Old Tree, on Friday 4th September.

Featuring Gewelt’s upright electric bass at the heart of a quartet alongside saxophone, piano and drums, The Old Tree combines melodic directness with interactive improvisation and virtuosity with minimalism.

“I wanted to highlight the electric upright bass because I’ve worked hard to get a unique and personal sound on it,” says Gewelt, who has appeared on recordings with drummers Billy Cobham and Michael Shrieve, pianists Misha Alperin and Enrico Pieranunzi and guitarists Andy Summers and David Torn. “It gives the music a different colour and feel from my previous albums. Plus, it’s easier to travel with this instrument than a standard double bass.”

The Old Tree was recorded in Nesbyen, a two-hour drive from Oslo and the location – away from the big city – allowed the musicians to work at an easy pace while also focusing strongly on the music.

“It was great to have my old friend and bandmate, master saxophonist Tommy Smith with us,” says Gewelt. “Tommy has such a commanding sound on tenor and always has great improvising ideas. He also brought a tin whistle to the sessions to add a distinctively Scottish element on a couple of tracks.”

On piano, Erland Slettevoll brings wide experience, having worked with saxophonist John Surman, bassist Arild Andersen, trumpeter Mathias Eick and singer Karin Krog in a career that has included appearances on forty-plus albums. Drummer Erik Smith is one of Scandinavia’s most in-demand and versatile musicians, having played with pop, rock and soul singers as well as in small band and big band jazz.

“The quartet worked together very well and I’m really happy with the way the album sounds,” says Gewelt. “I feel it should appeal to a wider audience as well as dedicated jazz listeners.”

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