From: Robert Austin
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 5:18 AM
Subject: Last Night - Jump 4 Joy!
What an incredible evening!
Swedish swingsters JUMP4JOY blew away DADDY-O'S last night with two storming sets which confirmed their status as one of the finest swing and jump bands in the world.
This 4 piece band have a sound which is the envy of many much larger outfits and lead singer / pianist Ulf Sandstrom has a vocal feel which comes direct from the 1940's.
Trying to strictly categorise their musical style is difficult, strong elements of 1950's New Orleans rhythm and blues combine with a a piano-led feel which calls to mind Will Bradley's big band boogie of the late 1930's. On some numbers their harmonies have the sweetness of the post-war West Coast vocal groups and at other times Ulf slips into hep jazz vocalese reminiscent of Be-Bop songsters mimicking the twisting sound of the saxophone.
On tenor and alto saxophone Bo Gustafsson was sweet when sweetness was needed but honked like a mad man
when the music demanded. His dexterity and musicality was astounding and in listening to him play you can hear the legends that have inspired him - the likes of Earl Bostic, Red Prysock, Joe Houston and with more than a passing nod
to the Be Bop stylists.
On bass and drums Anders Olsson and Anders Almberg have a tightness that comes from playing over 2,000 gigs and their incessant rhythms kept the dance floor jumping all night.
This band seem to have taken swing and 1940's rhythm and blues and distilled it down to a powerful essence which is
quite simply astounding. Their music and performance show why they are one of Scandinavia's best bands!
These guys have long been a favourite with the Swedish swing community and have played both at Herrang and the World Lindy Hop Championships.
Swing music is a feeling and I have seen very few bands who manage to catch the feel as well as JUMP4JOY and none who do it better - they are a Killer Diller!
For more info: www.mojoboogie.com
Dear Sir or Madam:,
In July this year the SPIKEdrivers had the honor of playing at the Roots and River Festival in Rovaniemi, Finland. While there we discovered a band that we think you should know about. They are called Jump4Joy and they are wonderful! As well a high energy Jump Jive show that had the audience on their feet in minutes, they also did an extremely high quality blues show backing the wonderful James Wheeler from Chicago. These guys do it all! Very professional and terrific fun.
We recommend them to anyone looking for a fun night out.
Constance Redgrave
The SPIKEdrivers
www.spikedrivers.co.uk
It is too bad, when some people know what they're doing. It's really too bad, because it makes the others sound, and in this case also look like assistants.
This Swedish band in question has played the socks off audiences at various festivals in Finland, too, also in Storyville and few other clubs, not forgetting to mention Jounin Kauppa (the Supermarket, guys...) in Ylläs Jazz&Blues last winter.
On this new cd the group building their act on jump and other groovy music is doing their job really effectively, led by Ulf Sandström on piano and vocals, and Bo Gustafsson on saxophone, that really says it all. Sandströms skills are based on years of living and performing in New Orleans, and one can hear it, one can see it! It looked, and partly also sounded rather ridiculous, when some of the Finnish piano-players tried to copy Sandströms coreography at the festival "Kainuun Jazzkevät" in Kajaani last year. Well You should live and learn, eventhough the man is not too old himself!
Three of the 13 tracks on this cd are by Sandström, the rest are covers of well-known musicians. And it goes so well, we are dealing with guys who are true professionals in what they do. Once more I have to ask: why do the Swedes seem to know this business better than us? There is not a feeling of pushing it too hard, they are not trying too much, there is no inflexibility. The theme seems to be: one more time, guys, and here we go again. And they go fast! Groovy
stuff without empty cliches or gimmicks. It goes all the way. Lots of recommendations to anyone who likes this type of music, both on cd and live!
Osku Rajala Finnish Rytmit Magazine 5/2001
"If you really want to swing, be sure you do your Swinging to Jump 4 Joy"
Frankie Manning
"Everytime the frog is in Sweden he loves to play and cook with jump 4 joy"
Clarence Frogman Henry
“It’s great for an old musician to discover young musicians that realize that all music can’t be created in a computer. Being a fan of Dr John and (as many know) having a great fondness for piano-boogie - it’s obvious that listening to Jump 4 Joy makes me happy. It feels like playing home ground”
Charlie Norman
"The main point of vintage Rhythm & Blues was entertainment, and never more so than within the classic New Orleans R&B idiom where Jump 4 Joy find their main fuel. It’s all in the infectious Mardi Gras-crazed spirit of Longhair, Fats, Huey, Frogman, and the other stalwarts of Crescent City piano, with some boozed-up Amos Milburn boogie licks to boot. Perfect for partyin’, dancin’, drinkin’, and carryin’ on, this stuff makes any joint jump for joy"
Svante Grundberg
creator of "Nattsudd" tv-series and drink recipes
Howdy fellas, I received your 'Cutest Lil' Boogie' CD several days ago - thanks for sending me a copy. You asked for an honest appraisal, so here goes.
...I'm very impressed with your swingin', jazz tinged R'n'B style -nothing groundbreaking of course, but certainly not a slavish impersonation of your obvious influences either. The standard of your playing is very high, you've obviously been playing for quite a while and appear to have established your own sound within the great tradition. Also, do I detect a hint of Mose Allison in the mix - particularly the original numbers?
It amazes me how well Europeans ingeneral can adopt convincing American accents when they sing & play blues, jazz etc. It's almost like a universal language, and I must admit that I don't think those styles sound very good sungin anything other than English. Just listen to the Beatles do 'She Loves You' or 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' in German and you'll know what I mean! I look forward to presenting your music to the 'Kind of Blues' listeners in the weeks ahead. Support from independent artists/labels is invaluable in enabling me to continue presenting the best in current Blues/R&B releases to a very appreciative audience, and is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
