A very special treat! As part of our Women Jazz Leaders series we welcome back to JazzLeeds Canadian trumpet player Ingrid Jensen, this time with her sister Christine and an all-star big band. Over the past twenty years or so, as trumpeter and saxophonist respectively, the Canadian Jensen sisters have each shaped prolific careers in contemporary jazz. They have collaborated with influential names such as Clark Terry, Maria Schneider and Terri Lyne Carrington, working with large and small ensembles, and responding to various commissions to compose for jazz orchestras around the globe. Tonight’s programme features original and arranged compositions from both Ingrid and Christine performed by an 18-piece big band which includes a galaxy of leading American and European musicians who are associated with the Whirlwind label.
Extracts from a review by Josh Grossman:
“Sisters Ingrid and Christine Jensen – born in Vancouver, raised in Nanaimo and whose world travels have led them to settle in New York and Montreal, respectively – have often shared the stage over the years.
Ingrid has been the featured guest on the two JUNO Award winning albums from the Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra; they lead the international jazz group Nordic Connect along with pianist Maggi Olin. As a trumpeter, there are a few different aspects of Ingrid’s playing which stick out for me. All players at the top of their game can get around their respective instruments with ease. But Ingrid has a flexibility on the trumpet which I feel is unique – one minute at the bottom of the range, the next minute near the top, with no perceptible effort expended in bridging the distance. Every note is clean and clear; her sound pure and round. And her technique is ferocious – weaving long lines, moving in and out of harmony, through all registers of the instrument. But melody remains at the core of her improvising: her playing seems rarely to be flashy just for the sake of being flashy – it is always in the pursuit of creating interesting melody.
Christine Jensen has earned international acclaim as a composer, and rightfully so. To me her writing evokes the lush landscape of various Canadian locales; it’s also melodically and harmonically interesting and a joy to perform. She has released two albums with her Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra, and both have won JUNO Awards. Composers must choose their notes carefully – in the best writing (outside of improvised sections), not much happens by chance. I feel that Christine’s playing as a saxophonist is similar – melodic content and a lush sound are at the core; each solo is a composition unto itself. According to Christine, “Composing seems to have chosen me, and it’s become a passion to express myself…I’m pretty lucky because composing has given me long-term growth, while improvising involves seizing the moment. Combining these two elements is the beauty of being a contemporary jazz artist.” “
Trumpets:Ingrid Jensen – USANick Smart – UK Ryan Quigley – lead – Scotland Andre Canniere – US/UK Trombones Rory Ingham – UK Paul Dunlea – Ireland Richard Henry (bass trombone) – UKSaxophones Tori Freestone – tenor sax – UK Josephine Davies – tenor sax – UK Rachael Cohen – alto sax – UK Christine Jensen – alto sax – Canada Alex Garnett – baritone sax – UK Rhythm Section Alcyona Mick – piano/keys – UK Michael Janisch – double & electric bass US/UK Klemens Marktl – drums – Austria
www.whirlwindrecordings.com/christine-ingrid-jensen-l/
Advance tickets available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/jazzleeds £18/16 concessions (under 25’s £9). Seven Arts Leeds 31A Harrogate Rd, Leeds LS7 3PD. Doors 7.30pm muisc 8-8.30pm
