Mare Nostrum IV Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano, Jan Lundgren

• 1 Belle-Île-En-Mer 03:50
• 2 Alone for You 04:48
• 3 Hope 03:29
• 4 Hidden Truth 04:07
• 5 Colette 04:36
• 6 Eloquence 03:00
• 7 Daniel's Farfars Låt 03:11
• 8 La Vie en Rose 03:51
• 9 Man in the Fog 03:00
• 10 Float 04:22
• 11 Life 04:02
• 12 Lullaby for Two 04:11
• Total Runtime 46:27

Info for Mare Nostrum IV

What began in 2005 as an experiment – just three concerts in Sweden bringing together a triumvirate of leading figures from European jazz – has developed in the past 20 years into one of the most distinctive line-ups now defining the ‘Sound of Europe’. Sardinian trumpeter Paolo Fresu, French accordionist Richard Galliano and Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren tell musical stories through Mare Nostrum, narratives from the northernmost to southernmost points of the continent. The trio combine their influences, which range from folk, classical and popular music, with the freedom of jazz.

Over the course of hundreds of concerts and through three acclaimed albums, not only has this all-star project evolved into a highly empathetic working band, the three musicians have also become close friends whose affinity and chemistry can be heard and felt on Mare Nostrum IV. The mastery of Fresu, Galliano and Lundgren is in the nuances, the way they conspire together to make beautiful and often melancholic melodies flow, in their scintillating textures, and in the music’s subtle twists and turns. There is also delight in the sheer sound, from the intent and purpose behind every single note to the unique sonic identity of the trio as a whole.

On Mare Nostrum IV, the twelve pieces that Fresu, Galliano and Lundgren wrote or arranged for each other are enchanting, cinematic miniatures of Nordic melancholy and Mediterranean warmth. This is a sea of sonorities, a utopia of beauty in which people know from deep what binds them together. And that is something more valuable in our uncertain times than it ever has been before.

Trumpeter Paolo Fresu is an institution in jazz from Italy of the last three decades. As a leader and sideman he has participated in over 350 recordings, several of them on ACT, starting with his music/film project Sonos ‘E Memoria in 2001, followed by now four albums in the “Mare Nostrum” series, the duo album “Summerwind” with Lars Danielsson (2018) and guest appearances on albums of Adam Bałdych, Nguyên Lê and Jens Thomas. Paolo Fresu is artistic director of the Berchidda Festival Time In Jazz and, as teacher, lead the Jazz Seminars in Nuoro (Sardinia) for 25 years. He lives between Paris, Bologna and Sardinia.

Richard Galliano is a unique innovator of the accordion and a singular voice of his instrument. Encouraged by Astor Piazzolla, Galliano created the "New Musette", his version of the traditional music of his French home country, which became one of his trademarks. He has recorded more than 50 albums under his own name - in jazz, classical and various musical styles from around the world. His impressive list of collaborations includes artists such as Chet Baker, Eddy Louiss, Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Serge Reggiani, Claude Nougaro, Barbara, Juliette Greco, Nigel Kennedy and various renown orchestras. Among many other prestigious awards Richard Galliano was appointed “Officer” and “Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters” by the French government.

Pianist Jan Lundgren is a pioneer of European jazz, combining classical music, folk traditions, American jazz and improvisation. This becomes evident on "Mare Nostrum", his own trio and their view of "European Standards" and "Swedish Standards", fusions of Renaissance choral music and jazz on "Magnum Mysterium" and various recordings together with Nils Landgren, Hans Backenroth, Wolfgang Haffner, Lars Danielsson or Emile Parisien. Jan Lundgren is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, was the first Scandinavian jazz artist to perform at Carnegie Hall and founded the Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival in 2010, which quickly became a major European jazz event.

Paolo Fresu, trumpet & flugelhorn
Richard Galliano, accordion & melowtone
Jan Lundgren, piano

Recorded and mixed by Rémi Bourcereau at Studio La Menuiserie, France, on September 30th, October 1st, and October 2nd, 2024, mastered at Studio Sequenza by Thomas Vingtrinier.

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Booklet for Mare Nostrum IV