Sean Nowell / Stockholm Swingin'

Tenor saxophonist Sean Nowell goes abroad on his 2011 release "Stockholm Swingin'." With a strong program of new originals songs and a few familiar melodies, the album showcases strong showings by Nowell and his working band of Swedish swingers along with the familiarly explosive metrics of his regular cohort, drummer Joe Abbatantuono. With confidence and expertise, Nowell assuredly leads by example and makes the entire session swing, surge and soar beyond the sonic stratosphere to reach new heights and delights. Both critical ears and casual listeners will certainly agree that this album of hard hitting live performances succeeds in encouraging jazz enthusiasts everywhere to dig into "Stockholm Swingin'" again and again with amazement and delight.

"Stockholm Swingin' began a few years ago when guitarist Fredrik Olsson decided to bring 15 year old pianist Leo Lindberg to New York for the first time. Fredrik reached out to drummer Joe Abba, an old college friend and long time cohort of mine, to set up a jam session with some of his favorite musicians and much fun was had by all. This inspired Fredrik to apply for a travel grant from the Swedish Arts Council for Joe and me to fly to Sweden to make a 14 day tour. With the addition of acoustic bassist Lars Ekman, we piled into the van, braved the ice and moose, and was met with enthusiastic ovations across the Swedish countryside. Stockholm Swingin' represents a snapshot of the group at the end of the tour performing at the world renowned Glen Miller Café in Stockholm."
- Sean Nowell, July 2011