Swedish jazz giant Putte Wickman passed away on February 14. At the concert that evening I announced 32 bars of silence and lit a candle to remember Wickman and his great achievements within jazz.
My favourite recording by Wickman is a CD called Desire/Mr. Clarinet featuring a stellar crew of Sweden's top session musicians: Janne Schaffer, Bjorn J:son Lindh, Teddy Walter, Magnus Persson and Per Lindvall. A very interesting and unusual setting for the more traditionally inclined Wickman, who really shines in this electric company. As far as I can see, this record is still available, and I can heartily recommend it.
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"Clarinet Lament (Barney's Concerto)" is a classic Ellington track featuring the one and only clarinet master Barney Bigard. I would be most surprised if Putte Wickman was not influenced by Bigard. They both play beautiful, lyrical, melodic solos and melodies with tasteful ornamentations. As is almost always the case with the great Ellington, the arrangement is very well done and superbly performed.
NP: Gavin Bryars - Man in a Room Gambling
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