The last day

Mirka Siwek, 17th May, 2009

Kurt Elling stopped by the studio today for a short visit. Appearently he also was working in the studio.

All the great musicians in the NBB has done a fantastic job totally focused and with great love for this project.
In the afternoon I visited a Picasso exhibition "The Musketeers" in Chelsea and this is definitely how I see the musicians in the NBB, great Musketeers!
A big thanks to Pär for the English translation of the blog this week..

Box of Canoli

Mirka Siwek, 17th May, 2009

This day I´ve heard Tim´s composition "Box of Canoli" a lot! Tim´s directions through this song is with great care and a firm hand. I didn´t know that Canoli is a cake here in the US and that behind this song there is a love story hiding. Later for dinner I tried it for the first time, very sweet and really big with some kind of white filling wrapped up in chocolate. In the future when I listen to this song I will always remember the cake I had in New York.

Randy Brecker was in the studio today and NBB recorded the last song, that already has been a hit. It´s the song playing the intro for this website. For this song we also had a guitarist, Vic Juris from New York.

Only one day of work left and during that day we will concentrate on listening and some small repairs if necessary.

Dave, George and Tom!?

Mirka Siwek, 13th May, 2009

At breakfast this morning Bosse and Magnus told me about a man they met on the streets here in New York. Sitting in his car this trumpet player from Georgia was rehersing and it sounded really good, an older gentleman playing at clubs for no money. He was very disappointed and told them that the music was keeping him alive.

Today David Liebman arrived at the studio and the band records "Here With Me" .Dave plays magnificent and after a two hour session he rushes off for the next gig, In Paris!

The next guest soloist has never played with the band before; George Garzone, playing Tim and the bands favorite piece "Buckeyes".

Well, time to get back to the hotel, suddenly I'm stopped by a police man. The street has been shut down, and people are standing, waiting with cameras an mobile phones. I ask someone what's up and in that moment a door opens in the building and there is Tom Hanks! My favorite actor!! In the rush I can't find my phone to take a picture, he is gone in just a few seconds in a big black limousine.

First day of recording

Mirka Siwek, 12th May, 2009

Sunday and we have moved to studio Avatar, one of New Yorks finest.
The producer Bob Beldon is standing in the control room trying to ease up things by telling jokes, the pressure and stress among the musicians is very clear. Sound check, recordings starts in 5 minutes.

Earlier today I´ve hugged and greeted Peter Erskine and Rufus Reid when they joined The Norrbotten Big Band, both in a great mood.

Everything is ready now and through the speakers I can hear Tim´s voice -"Rufus At Gillys, take one"!

Welcome to New York

Mirka Siwek, 12th May, 2009

After a very formal welcome by the airport personnel and a two hour wait for the bus we finally arrived at the hotel.

From the 21st floor where my room is I have a magnificent view towards Lexington Avenue and I can clearly feel the building moving in the wind, kind of a boat moving against the waves.

Today is Saturday and in the morning I meet surprisingly fresh musicians after their morning run to the Brooklyn bridge and back. The most obsessed runners in the band are Dan, Håkan, Tapio and Björn. Later in the afternoon we have a meeting with the film team Pekka and Andreas who are documenting the recording.

The first day we spend at Carrols studio, I'm sitting in a chair listening to the rehearsals. Tim is leading the band as usual and he is of course in a very good mood (he also has very long hair). When the band starts to play, this days first real crescendo happens! The first song is "Song for Mirka" a composition by Tim and Danne.

I´m starting to feel jet lagged so after a while I decide to go back to the hotel to meet up with my colleagues Eva, Irene and Pär- All three very energetic starting their day at the hotel gym at 7am so they have time for some sightseeing before the start of this days work schedule.

On our way to New York

Mirka Siwek, 10th May, 2009

8/5 2009 - friday
I'm finally sitting on the plane SK903 heading for New York City. Listening to Diane Kralls romantic, seductive voice in my headphones. The aircraft is cruising towards Reykjavik at 905 km/h and it's a freezing -49 degrees Celsius outside. Local time in Sweden is now 11.52 pm and we have 7 hours flight time left before we land at Newark airport.

Since my feelings towards flying are both fascination and fear I feel that it's my duty as well as a privilege to enjoy this flight.

In the seats behind me I have the musicians of Norrbotten Big Band, very focused and everyone including myself are thinking how close we are to our goal. Our friend and artistic director Tim Hagans have gathered some great artists and jazz-musicians; Randy Brecker, Peter Erskine, David Liebman, George Garzone and Rufus Reid to record our 12th album. During the following four days we will record the album in the famous Avatar studio, located at 441 west 53d street near Central Park.

Now I'm just looking forward to meet Tim, I will call him the second we've landed in New York.
Bye for now and I'll see you all in my blog. /Mirka