Hakan Nyqvist - Inside Looking Out [CD]

"Inside Looking Out" is the new album from Swedish jazz group Horncraft, the unique jazz group where French horns play an important part in coloring the music. The group also consists of some of Swedens most interesting soloists and the combination of thoughtful, personal and well written arrangements by HÃ¥kan Nyqvist and exiting solos from the members makes this group stand out. Born in 1945, HÃ¥kan Nyqvist has a lot of experiences working in different ensembles and he's always tried to incorporate those experiences in his own writing. Playing both French horn and trumpet in jazz settings, he was an in demand musician that had the opportunity to play in various constellations such as The Swedish Radio Jazz Group, where HÃ¥kan worked with, for example Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Gil Evans, George Russel and Kenny Wheeler. He has also recorded with a lot of prominent jazz artists like Lars Gullin, Monica Zetterlund and Nils Lindberg. Some of his biggest musical inspirations were playing with, several grammy award winning, Bernt Rosengren in different groups. He recorded several albums with Bernt, both in an octet and in Bernts Big Band. Another inspiration was Swedish jazz giant, and long time friend, Per Henrik Wallin. He got to spend time with one of his big inspirations, Kenny Wheeler, on a couple of tours with James Last (they were both in the trumpet section) and that was also a highlight. HÃ¥kan has dug deep into the compositions of Wheeler. All of these different composers and unique experiences has had an impact on HÃ¥kan, but he has also looked inside and found his own style. The result is a a very special ensemble sound, playful, strong melodies with depth, space and time for the soloists and arrangements with unique harmonies. With a setting of French horns, trombone, trumpet/flugelhorn, Tenor/soprano sax, piano, double bass and drums and with a handpicked group of top class jazz musicians that are totally invested, the music takes off, from the inside of the musicians and out to the listener.