September 19th we have a special session in Oslo when Norwegian “queen of jazz”, Karin Krog, bring her husband and long time musical collaborator, english avant-garde, modal, free jazz saxophonist John Surman to The Deichman Main Public Library to present their great LP ‘Cloud Line Blue’ (Polydor, 1978) for us.
We’ve asked the strong 80 year old singer to share her Top 5 Albums that have made an impact on her and followed her through an amazing career.
1. Béla Bartók – ‘Concerto for Orchestra’, Sz. 116, BB 123
“Brilliant orchestration, wonderfully imaginative use of the folksong idiom, exciting rhythmic passages.”
2. Benjamin Britten – ‘War Requiem’, Op. 66
“One of Britten’s great calls for peace in a troubled world.”
3. Miles Davis – ‘Porgy and Bess’
“George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess under the conduction of Gil Evans’ orchestra. Outstanding collaboration between Miles & Gil, an amazing interpretation.”
4. Billie Holiday – ‘Lady in Satin’
“Selection of great songs beautifully arranged by Ray Ellis. Some of the last Billie recorded, quite a testament.”
5. John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman – ‘John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman’
“Possibly Hartman’s best recording, with John Coltrane’s quartet in a lyrical mood. What could be better?
…and of course anything by Duke Ellington? Maybe listen to his recording of Grieg’s music…”