MARTIN BRANDQVIST QUARTET
ABOUT MARTIN BRANDQVIST QUARTET
Described as somewhere between Steps Ahead to early Pat Metheny Group, award-winning composer & drummer Martin Brandqvist leads this cinematic-sounding project of four skillful Swedish improvisors. Their debut album – a collection of original music entitled Reflections – receiving critical acclaim, including nomination for Orkesterjournal's Golden Disc 2016, which described the album as “exemplary.” Now signed to legendary Swedish jazz label Prophone Records/Naxos, the new album Relations is out in June 2019. Expect more improvised music interwoven with odd meters and metric modulations.
BAND MEMBERS
Sum of Talented Parts
MARTIN BRANDQVIST
Drummer, Composer
Martin grew up in a home characterized by jazz. Already at the age of 17, he played at the legendary jazz club Nefertiti in Gothenburg. Later he became an educated percussionist, in Sweden as well as in New York. Martin has a Bachelor of art in music and at Drummers Collective in New York he met the legendary percussionist Frank Malabe and studied the Afro-Cuban and Brazilian tradition on drums. Martin has toured with Vusi Mahlasela in South Africa and with Simbi on festivals in Haiti, Canada and France.
As a composer, Martin has written the music for TV-series and movies, to which prizes have been awarded. The TV series about "Karlsson on the roof", Ted Siegers "The Fourth King" and "Molly and the Christmas Monster" are some good examples.
INGE PETERSSON LINDBÄCK
Saxophone, Basclarinett
Martin once heard Inge play with Tolvan Big Band and Michael Brecker. The concert was amazing, as was the sound of his two favorite saxophonists playing together. Martin bought tickets for the following concert as well. According to Martin, Inge is intuitive and innovative. He creates atmospheres, rhythms, and new tunes in his solos, which can raise a song in the same way as a skilled and talented singer or vocalist. Inge can also be heard in bands such as the Tolvan Big Band, Elisabeth Melander, Nikolai Benson
JOHAN OHLSSON
Piano
Johan has a great experience as an accordionist and a pianist from world music as well as from playing jazz in Sweden. Johan plays world music strongly influenced by Balkan, e.g. in the band Östblocket. You can also hear him in constellations such as Mimi Terris, Joe Spinaci & The Brocolino Orchestra, Sofia Thelin band, and Cumbiasound. In the one and the same person, Johan has succeeded in combining professional musicianship with the heart of a folk-musician, which otherwise are not easily compatible.
MATTIAS HJORTH
Bas
Mattias melodious and responsive bass playing can be heard in many constellations, Cennet Jönsson Quartet, Loïc Dequidt Quartet, Footloose... He is also one of the forces in the trio Plunge with which he has toured in Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain. He has also worked together with musicians such as David Liebman, Tommy Smith, Lotte Anker, Lennart Åberg, Fredrik Ljungkvist, Lina Nyberg, Bobo Stenson
ALBUMS
As an acclaimed and talented Jazz Band, the members of Martin Brandqvist Quartet have produced an eclectic mix of studio and live recordings that are synonymous with their signature sound. Appealing to fans worldwide, their collection of songs are a testament to the depth and diversity of their creativity and hard work. Explore their discography below.
JAZZ BAND REVIEWS
Respected Insights
LIKEHIFI.DE
“Nordic jazz is one of the most popular varieties of jazz. Groups such as E.S.T. or the Helge Lien Trio stand for the, almost legendary, profound Scandinavian sound. Another representative now joins with the Martin Brandqvist Quartet. We did not miss the chance to listen to their new album "Relations".
“The Smoothly vibrant groove is a bliss”
“The crystal-clear recording inspires with details and joy of playing.”
Christian Kautz, likehifi.de
CUTE AND DANGEROUS.DE
"Relations" is a coherent album, which is characterized by playfulness and also African melodies. These latter influences fundamentally characterize Martin's music"
"Relations" is an inspiring jazz album with Nordic-Jazz influences, Afro beats and many mainstreamer bases. In short, as: to call absolutely successful!
SOUND & IMAGE.DE
”A small scent of New York is there as well as South African influence and the typical Nordic feeling that is constantly breaking through in a positive way” (Sound & image Düsseldorf)
