Early rise!!

Janne Thelin, 19th December, 2009

Puh!!

Two very nice gigs at the NDR place in Hamburg!

Friday ended after midnight and the alarm was set to 0400, and we were picked up at 0445.
The jazz world is surley glamorous!!

Two flight's later we're at Arlanda waiting for the last one.
It's hard to keep the eyes open, but we'll keep fighting.

Now it's X-mas and the a new hopefully exciting year!

So from all of us to all of you! 
Merrry Christmas and a Happy New Year

/Janne Thelin

Shopping is creative!

Janne Thelin, 17th December, 2009

Another day in Hamburg!

The three "shopaholics" from the saxophone section (KM, Mats and Me) went back to our friend Nadir who owns the shop we visited yesterday.
Mats had to try a very expensive mouthpiece, which we other liked, on his horn. And ofcourse as good colleauges we were right and it sounded great! So he had to buy it. He's know the owner of a handmade "Theo Wanne" mouthpiece.
KM and me bought a couple of mouthpieces as well.
I tried the soprano mouthpieces that Nadir is making him self, and I gotta say they are very good!

Nadir, KM, Mats and Me (Happy guys!)

After this we went to see the Christmas market and to have a "Bratwurst" before the soundcheck.
They really know how to make sausage in Germany!!

Soundcheck at the NDR place.. and guess what! they really make us feel at home here..
when we got out it's snowing!! 

Now it's a couple of hours left to rest and get ready for the concert.  

//Janne

Ssschummmm!

Janne Thelin, 16th December, 2009

WOW what was that!!??

Oh... it was October,November and parts of December. I was I bit surprised to see that the last blog was from mine and KM’s sailing, but we’ve been quite busy.

After a very busy autumn with Carla Bley and Co, on to a tour with Jonas Knutsson and Sofia Jannok, a production with Brangwen Dance Co I find myself in Hamburg rehearsing for two concerts in connection with the release of our CD "Avatar Sessions".

We had a rehearsal in the NDR concerthall here in Hamburg to refresh the music. Very nice meeting Peter Erskine again! And it's always nice to play in a hall with great acoustic.

After the rehearsal the saxophone section did an excursion to a saxophone store in Hamburg (one of the largest mouthpiece stores in Europe). We pretty much went nuts there and left the store x hours later. It’s not the cheapest occupation playing woodwind instruments.. anyway me KM and Mats didn’t get enough so we’re going back tomorrow before the soundcheck.

Tomorrow is the first concert and I cincerely hope that we get the chance to amuse as many Hamburgers as possible (no pun intended).

Janne T

The adventures of two saxophoneplayers

Janne Thelin, 5th September, 2009

After presenting next year for our costumers, saxophonists
Thelin and Almqvist went to sea, in a quest for inspiration.

This time of year you can find a lot of beauty at sea, not only
in beautiful sunsets and glittering water, but also in the roar
of a gale battered sea.

These contrasts is easily transferred to music.
Contrasts is essential in recognition of beauty... 

The Ship.

Ship Ohoj!! The film takes a while to load!

All the best

Cpt Baines och Cpt Haddock

Workshops in Rovaniemi Day 4

Janne Thelin, 13th June, 2009

As I mentioned there was a change of plans,

so instead of going to Luleå and play the second concert

we stayed in Rovaniemi and did a partially new program with

the band and the two Johannas.

After a short rehearsal during the day we played at one of the hotels in Rovaniemi.

Nice gig in a "nightclub" where eventually the crowd started dancing!! nice!

So that's it for this time... tomorrow we go back home and hope to see these guys soon again.

Thank you Lapin Sotilassoittokunta for your spirit and for your love to music!

/Janne Thelin

Workshops in Rovaniemi Day 3

Janne Thelin, 11th June, 2009

Short rehearsal with the two Johannas during the day and then concert at the "Lappia House" in the evening.

It's nice to play for a "full house". I think for both the performer and the audience the Power of many humans experiencing something together is always amplified by the presence of someone to share it with. So .. the more the merrier!!

Anyway we had fun on stage and it seems like the audience enjoyed it.

Lapsk Big Band Foto: Minna Lassila

Two lovely Singers Johanna & Johanna Foto : Minna Lassila

/Janne Thelin

Workshops in Rovaniemi Day 2

Janne Thelin, 10th June, 2009

1000 -1500 Rehearsals and changes!

Rehearsal with Lapin Sotilassoittokunta Big Band

The saxophones from left Pasi L, Pasi V, Me , Hannu and Ilkka

Tapio and the Chief of the orchestra, Major Juha Tiensuu

The concert in Luleå is cancelled and a second concert in Rovaniemi is on!
But as the kliché says "the show must go on". and it will!
After a days rehearsal, the sauna and a nice meal, we spend some quality time with our Finnish colleagues. Amazing how much you actually have to talk about! 0239 we've pretty much coverd it all and are heading for a much needed rest. Who said anyting about 9 to 5 ?? :-)
To morrow is the first concert in the Lappia House in Rovaniemi.. almost sold out!! at least 300 people!

/Janne Thelin

Workshops in Rovaniemi Day 1

Janne Thelin, 9th June, 2009

0800 departure from Luleå by car.

Me, Bosse Strandberg, Magnus Puls and Peter Dahlgren get an early start.

About 250 km later we have a quick burger before meeting the musicians in the military band in Rovaniemi " Lapin Sotilassoittokunta " J

It's always nice to see these guys and play some "Big Band", this time the goal is two concerts, one in Rovaniemi and one in Luleå, with two young Finnish singers.

It's quite an experience to do this because in Finland you play "a lot of" Finnish music... so after over 25 years playing Big Band, the music is music I've never played or heard.

After rehearsal we have a very nice meal at a favourite "Tex Mex" restaurant and ofcourse an invigorating sauna.

Now the bed in the hotelroom looks very attractive! To morrow is a new day J

/Janne Thelin