PROJECT 1 - Stroman / Jönsson June 2007 release on 33 Records London-based US trombonist/singer Scott Stroman and Swedish soprano saxophonist Cennet Jönsson have collaborated in various international jazz projects over the past 10 years, most notably providing the front line for Billy Cobham’s European jazz quintet North By NorthWest. This CD, representing an earlier project, marks the beginning of a 10-year musical relationship that has spawned multiple projects including jazz groups, big bands, chamber ensembles, orchestras, and choirs. This first edition was recorded in 1997 following a tour of the UK and Scandinavia with a choice line up of musicians from the UK, Sweden and Denmark. All the material on this CD was especially composed for the project. Scott Stroman (US/UK) trombone, vocals, percussion Cennet Jönsson (Sweden) soprano saxophone Jacob Karlzon (Sweden) piano Dudley Phillips (UK) electric bass Lisbeth Diers (Denmark) percussion, vocals Nic France (UK) drums, percussion Biogs: Scott Stroman: As a jazz trombonist and singer Scott has performed with Billy Cobham, David Liebman, Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Brecker, Kenny Wheeler, Gloria Estefan, Liza Minnelli and many others. He is director of OPUS 20, Britain’s only string ensemble specializing in contemporary music, Eclectic Voices, London’s multi stylistic chamber choir, and the London Jazz Orchestra. He also works regularly with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, where he directs their groundbreaking Renga ensemble and conducts the LPO’s Hit Squad touring group as well as the Future First ensemble for young professional players. He is currently music director of two unique Kurt Weill productions for Opera de Lyon in France and has conducted orchestras throughout the UK and Europe. Cennet Jönsson Saxophonist Cennet Jönsson has played with a considerable number of highly respected musicians including Billy Cobham, Michael Brecker, Dizzy Gillespie, Gary Husband, John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler. He was also instrumental in forming the Swedish Kopasetic Productions label in 2003 with other like-minded musicians to release urgent, personal and exciting music. The idea behind Kopasetic was to shorten the time it takes to produce and release CDs and consequently get material out whilst it still feels fresh to the musicians as well as the audience. Cennet and Kopasetic also continue to seek other projects with musicians outside the label but sympathetic to their ethos. Jacob Karlzon Jacob Karlzon has established himself as one of Sweden's most personal and skilful pianists. He has a highly developed touch and an impressive technique that has resulted in comparisons to pianists such as Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans and Jan Johansson. He’s played with many artists including Billy Cobham, Bob Berg, Kenny Wheeler, Tim Hagans, Jeff Ballard, Norma Winstone, Viktoria Tolstoy, Cæcilie Norby, Nils Landgren, Silje Nergaard, Rigmor Gustafsson, Lina Nyberg, Peter Asplund, Anders Bergcrantz, Fredrik Lundin and Tomas Franck. He is also a regular member of the Tolvan Big Band and composes and arranges music for Viktoria Tolstoy's quartet in which he has been a member since 1999. He also leads two groups of his own, The Jacob Karlzon Trio, and his quintet, The Jacob Karlzon Big 5. Dudley Phillips Dudley Phillips’ skills as a bass player have been much sought after over the years with artists such as Orphy Robinson, Andy Shepard, Annie Whitehead, Bheki Msleku, Billy Cobham, Jim Mullen, Iain Ballamy and Martin Speake all benefiting. He co-founded the Perfect Houseplants, with Huw Warren, Mark Lockheart and Martin France and to date they have recorded six albums, several of them cross over projects featuring artists such as Pamela Thorby and The Orlando Consort. The band has gone on to win considerable critical acclaim, playing together for more than twelve years. His latest projects include filming a live studio gig with legendary English songwriter Robert Wyatt, establishing a new quartet with Andy Sheppard featuring tabla player Kuljit Bhamra, recording with Amy Winehouse, and recording/touring Mark Lockheart’s acclaimed ‘Moving Air’ album. He’s also recently released his own album “Life Without Trousers” on the Babel Label. Lisbeth Diers Lisbeth Diers has for many years been in great demand on the Scandinavian jazz scene playing percussion for numerous artists including Don Elias, Lars Danielsson, Django Bates, Trilok Gurtu, Per Jørgensen, Lena Willemark, Airto, Steve Swallow, Jørgen Emborg, Palle Danielsson and Susi Hyldgaard a. o. Lisbeth appears on more than 30 record releases and is also a highly respected teacher. Nic France Nic France is a highly experienced and accomplished drummer, who brings a free-flowing creativity and excitement into any project. After arriving in London in 1980 Nic started working with top musicians almost immediately: Allan Holdsworth, Jim Mullen, Ronnie Scott, Ian Carr's Nucleus, Loose Tubes, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Andy Sheppard, Hank Crawford, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Mose Allison, L. Shankar and many more. He then started working in the Rock, Soul and Pop music worlds as well, touring the U.K. and Europe twice with the great Bill Withers, and has since worked with many other high profile artists. He has recorded with Pete Townsend, Jools Holland and Annie Lennox, appeared on a TV drum clinic with Billy Cobham and is currently in the bands of U.S. soul/jazz legend Terry Callier and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour (featuring on the recent DVD ‘David Gilmour Live’). He has played at a large number of the world’s major venues and at many of its most prestigious festivals such as Nice, Montreux and Glastonbury.