Benjamin Koppel & Scott Colley
Biographie Benjamin Koppel & Scott Colley
Portable Infinity Quartet
is the name of the Scandinavian-American project. The All-star quartet not only has jazz history with it, but also personal meetings with greats such as Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield and Esbjörn Svensson. A lot is connected here: the long experience, the openness to new things and the pure desire to play. “As a child I was always inventing something,” says Benjamin Koppel. “I invented a whole world and a language for this world. I use all that in my music.”
The Danish saxophonist and award-winning novelist is a defining figure of European jazz, always in exchange with the American tradition. In the quartet he meets the magically grooving drummer Magnus Öström – a former member of the legendary EST, the incredibly versatile bassist Scott Colley and the energetic pianist Jacob Karlzon, for whom every concert is an event: “For me, performing live in front of an audience is the original place for music, an ecstatic experience for both sides.”
Magnus Öström
is one of the most influential drummers of recent decades. With e.s.t. (esbjörn svensson trio), he set new standards in European jazz from 1992: the Swedish trio fused the rhythms of club culture with elements of pop and classical music. Until 2008, they delighted jazz fans all over the world. The same applies to the ‘Scandinavian supergroup’ RYMDEN, in which he has been celebrating inventive prog jazz since 2018.
Benjamin Koppel
Danish saxophonist and composer, is one of the most award-winning musicians of his generation, known for his versatility and virtuosity.
Koppel’s influences are broad, but they start with his family. Koppel, a stellar player and renowned composer, is the grandson of noted Danish classical composer Herman D. Koppel. His father, Anders Koppel, is a well-known and successful Hammond organ player and a composer and the family in general is full of music and creativity.
Benjamin Koppel’s saxophone sounds sweet and full tone that comes more out of his heroes Cannonball Adderley and Johnny Hodges than, say, John Coltrane (whom he also admires). His approach is contemplative and not hectic when he pours out blazing bebop licks, quick and smooth. His superb playing has put him in the company of Kenny Werner, Jim Hall, Joe Lovano, Scott Colley, Miroslav Vitous, Randy Brecker, David Sanchez, Sheryl Crow to name a few.
He has jazz groups and plays classical, pop, R&B, folkloric music and almost anything in between. As a composer, he writes in those genres and is not afraid to take on large scale projects and compose music for a theatre performance, put together two festival programs per year and write a book whenever there is a break.
His saxophone can be heard on a large number of albums, including Moonjam (the best selling Scandinavian instrumental band with several multiple platinum albums to their credit), Danseorkestret, Rugsted & Kreutzfeldt, Maria Montell, Marie Carmen Koppel, Hanne Boel, Alberte Winding, Sanne Salomonsen and soundtracks for several feature films, documentaries, cartoons and ballets.
Koppel has worked regularly with international jazz stars like Chris Potter, Al Foster, John Abercrombie, Davide Sanchez, Lee Konitz, Jim Hall, Joe Lovano, Markus Stockhausen, Ron Miles, Dave Douglas, Ben Monder, Adam Nussbaum.
Koppel has released more than 60 albums as a jazz soloist along with some of the biggest international jazz names, including Joe Lovano, Kenny Werner, Charlie Mariano, Daniel Humair, Phil Woods, Alex Riel, Larry Goldings, Randy Brecker, Palle Danielsson, Ignacio Berroa, Bill Stewart, Lionel Loueke, Paul Bley, Miroslav Vitous, Miguel Zenon, Chano Dominguez, Peter Erskine, Scott Colley, Johnathan Blake, Bobby Watson, Jean Michel Pilc, Uri Caine, and others. Koppel has collaborations with a number of high-class classical soloists, including Katrine Gislinge, Michala Petri, Henrik Dam Thomsen, Inger Dam Jensen, and others.
Scott Colley
originated in Los Angeles, California and at age 13, began studying with bassist Monty Budwig. As the recipient of a full scholarship at CalArts, Scott was able to continue his studies with Charlie Haden and the classical bassist Fred Tinsley. Before graduating college, Scott began touring with Carmen McRae, which led him to performing with Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Jordan, Joe Henderson and Art Farmer. After moving to New York City in 1988, Scott continued playing with artists such as Jim Hall, Andrew Hill, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield, Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Gary Burton, and many others.
Jacob Karlzon
The Swedish-born jazz pianist is known for his blend of jazz, rock and electronic elements. He has built an impressive career both as a solo artist and as the leader of his own trio and has released numerous albums, including the internationally acclaimed ‘More’. Karlzon's music is characterised by virtuoso technique, dynamic improvisation and a penchant for powerful melodies. He has collaborated with artists such as Viktoria Tolstoy and has received several awards, including the Swedish jazz prize ‘Jazzkatten’. Jacob Karlzon is regarded as one of the leading figures in modern Scandinavian jazz and impresses with his cross-genre musicality.
