Markussen/Fryland Quintet - Plays the Music of Blue Note

Saxophonist Uffe Markussen and trumpeter Thomas Fryland lead a quintet celebrating the music of the legendary Blue Note Records label. The two have played together in the DR Big Band for many years - including with Blue Note legend Joe Henderson - and now dive into the catalogue of composers like Herbie Hancock, Lee Morgan, Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Dorham, and Art Blakey.

The quintet does not simply copy the classic style, but returns to the source: strong grooves, distinctive melodies, funk, and improvisation. Markussen was saxophonist in the DR Big Band from 1990 to 2012; Fryland has also had a long career in the band and has released several albums as bandleader. Both are originally from Jutland and returned to Aalborg after many years in Copenhagen, where they now also play in the Nordkraft Big Band.

The quintet is completed by pianist Carsten Kær, drummer Carsten Landors, and bassist Andreas Schmitz - trained at the conservatory in The Hague with experience from the Dutch jazz scene.

Line-up: Thomas Fryland - trumpet / Uffe Markussen - tenor saxophone / Carsten Kær - piano / Andreas Schmitz - bass / Carsten Landors - drums