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Torben Waldorff
After garnering international critical acclaim for his previous ArtistShare albums, Afterburn and Brilliance, guitarist Torben Waldorff returned with another varied and potent set of songs on American Rock Beauty (ArtistShare).
On American Rock Beauty, tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin, bassist Matt Clohesy, and drummer Jon Wikan join leader Waldorff once again. Helping to take the music to a new level of intensity is new man onboard, pianist Jon Cowherd (Brian Blade Fellowship, Rosanne Cash). Together they make what critic Doug Ramsey, writing about their previous CD Afterburn, calls “...expansive jazz of the kind that thrives in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn and is spreading around the world. Waldorff, McCaslin and Yahel are leaders among the articulate standard bearers of the movement.”
Critics have praised Waldorff’s previous efforts for their spirit, balance, and the telepathic understanding among band members. These same qualities are all present on American Rock Beauty, as the quintet leads the listener through a sophisticated blend of styles and beats. There is range of musical atmospheres at play on the album, but they all become one in the hands of these dynamic musicians.
Waldorff worked on the new music for the band throughout 2008-2009. “The tunes are all written from a extremely intuitive place,” he says. “I usually conceived them in minutes. It has been as though the songs and the melodies were hanging there right above me all the time ” I just had to get myself to a place where I was ready to just reach out and pull them in. Then they become creations, almost like babies. All are really songs, very vocal in their character. There is a variation of vibes and styles in the songs, but they all draw on the same melodic undercurrent, they are all part of the same work.”
The program is diverse. The group weaves intricate harmonies, goes rock, charges through compelling unison lines, paints haunting melodies, and engages in blistering virtuosic exchanges. “Shark” is a rousing jazz-rock fusion tune, played with fire and intelligence. “Shining Through” has a country-gospel flavor that features a lyrical Waldorff solo that almost seems like one long improvised song. The title track is a heart-rending ballad full of longing and sadness. “Song-Ella” has a gorgeous Brazilian lilt. Other compositions, like “Waves” and “Late” (which features a towering solo from McCaslin) are intricate, tightly constructed pieces that are beyond easy categorization.
..However, there is an underlying unity to the album, despite the variety of material. “There is a theme of beauty, sorrow, and happiness running through the record,” Waldorff continues. “There is a story of real life in here”a print or an image of human reality and truth. Born in Denmark, Torben Waldorff attended Berklee College of Music studying with Herb Pomeroy and Charlie Banacos and gigging the Boston clubs.
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Torben Waldorff: Holiday On Fire
by Dan McClenaghan
Two impressions stick in the mind after a couple of spins of guitarist Torben Waldorff's Holiday On Fire: one--he rips like a rock star; and two--the band he has put together has a sharply distinctive, modern, maybe even futuristic sound. The rock star aspect: not a surprise, for a musician whose introduction to the art began with American blues and rock and roll. As for the assemblage of the band: he's put together great groups on his four previous CDs ...
read moreTorben Waldorff: Wah-Wah
by Hrayr Attarian
Danish guitarist Torben Waldorff's sixth album as a leader is a collection of elegant, subtle and intensely melodic compositions that simultaneously sound innovative and accessible. Wah-Wah is also his first without a saxophonist, leaving him alone in the frontline. His, long and satisfying solos are often tinted in muted colors as his intricate improvisations remain within the melodies' frameworks. His tasteful, complex and intimate sound on the opener, “Circle and Up," showcases his virtuosity without flaunting it. ...
read moreTorben Waldorff: Wah-Wah
by Eyal Hareuveni
Danish-born, Sweden-based guitarist Torben Waldorff takes the leading role on Wah-Wah as main soloist, putting his melodic integrity, and a natural leadership that stresses tight group interplay, up front. All his original compositions feature the guitarist's gift for structuring engaging melodies with rich and sophisticated harmonic patterns and tasteful and economic solos, all varied in moods and colors but never indulging in excess. Waldroff's American quartet, featured on this album, toured with these tunes right before heading to the recording ...
read moreTorben Waldorff: Wah-Wah
by Mark F. Turner
Guitarist/composer Torben Waldorff has released a number of penetrating recordings, including 2008's Afterburn and 2010's American Rock Beauty , both on the musician-driven ArtistShare label. They are shaded with top-notch musicianship, fresh perspectives, and one elusive quality: the art of being copacetic, where the music evokes a sense of cool that's not just defined by chops or technological devices but, more so, with a vibe that feels relevant and evocative. Wah-Wah is further proof of the Sweden-based guitarist's abilities.
read moreTake Five With Torben Waldorff
by Torben Waldorff
Meet Torben Waldorff: Born and raised in Denmark. Went to Berklee for four years. Have two CDs out on Swedish label LJ-Records. Signed with ArtistShare in New York 2006, with three CDs out--Brilliance, Afterburn and American Rock Beauty, all with saxophonist Donny McCaslin, a friend from the Berklee days, plus drummer Jon Wikan and bassist Matt Clohesy. Sam Yahel is also on Afterburn, while Jon Cowherd plays on American Rock Beauty. Recent performances include JazzBaltica, ...
read moreTorben Waldorff: American Rock Beauty
by Eyal Hareuveni
On his second release for ArtistShare, Danish guitarist Torben Waldorff has chosen to test the rare telepathic interplay among his quintet members on songs that were sketched intuitively in a matter of minutes. This unique approach has resulted in some very infectious tunes with strong, beautiful melodies, though it does feel as though this gifted quintet could have risen to higher challenges. Joining Waldorff are tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin, bassist Matt Clohesy and drummer Jon Wikan--all of ...
read moreTorben Waldorff: American Rock Beauty
by Raul d'Gama Rose
Danish composer/guitarist Torben Waldorff has crafted a plainly titled but memorable album in American Rock Beauty. Waldorff is an articulate and lyrical musician, which counts for a lot on an instrument that is prone to be used with effects that mask its organic beauty. American Rock Beauty is a sophisticated blend of American and European streams of music, from rollicking folk dance to the swing and swagger of jazz melded with burnished impressionism. Throughout, Waldorff shows himself to be a ...
read moreTorben Waldorff Celebrates 10 Years Of ArtistShare And Submission For Grammy Nomination Consideration
Source:
Brian Camelio
Torben Waldorff celebrates 10 years of music making on ArtistShare and his fifth Project, Holiday on Fire. The recording features Torben’s intricate original compositions written specifically for his incredible band of top-notch players, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, drummer Johnathan Blake, bassist Drew Gress and pianist Maggi Olin. Recorded on “holiday” in New York City, the band is on fire. Listen to this incredible band on Torben’s “Belligerent Beauty" here. “A virtuoso guitarist with a great sensitivity for image, emotion and expression,” ...
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New Torben Waldorff Project "Wah-Wah" on ArtistShare
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
Torben Waldorff's 4th project Wah-Wah on ArtistShare has been launched. The recording will take place in Brooklyn in April, and the CD will ship July 6th. Wah-Wah is another album of original Torben Waldorff music, now in a guitar quartet setting, with Torben Waldorff on guitar, Gary Versace on keys, Matt Clohesy on bass and Jon Wikan on drums. The music will be available as mp3 download or CD, or as premium offers that supports the project immensely. Ordering the ...
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Torben Waldorff Tours Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Canada and United States in 2011
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
Torben Waldorff on tour in March-April featuring music from the new critically acclaimed release American Rock Beauty, Torben's third out on ArtistShare. The band will feature Montreal based Joel Miller on saxophones, Jon Wikan of New York on drums, Torben Waldorff on guitar. Mattias Welin/Fraser Hollins/Matt Clohesy on bass. On tour the band will play in Scandinavian cities Copenhagen, Oslo, Malmo, and stateside, Toronto, Montreal, New York City. Critics have praised Waldorff's previous efforts for their spirit, balance, and the ...
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Torben Waldorff blends influences on “American Rock Beauty”
Source:
Clay Wilson
Torben Waldorff's “American Rock Beauty" is his third fan-funded project from ArtistShare, and once again he brings an incredible band together to display their talents on his unique compositions. Featuring Donny McCaslin, John Cowherd, Matt Chlohesy, and Jon Wikan, “American Rock Beauty" traverses through Jazz, Rock, Country, and everything in between with ease, showing the listener why Waldorff is easily considered as one of the most original Guitarist/Composers of his generation. To preview four tunes from Torben Waldorff's “American Rock ...
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American Rock Beauty, Torben Waldorff's Third Fan-Funded Recording
Source:
Clay Wilson
American Rock Beauty is Torben Waldorff's third fan-funded recording from ArtistShare. Defying genre, the band of Donny McCaslin (saxophone), John Cowherd (piano), Matt Clohesy (bass), and Jon Wikan (drums) expertly shifts moods from Country, to Rock, to Jazz, to R&B. McCaslin provides an especially exciting solo on “Shark" and Waldorff's own improvisations are not to be missed. To preview 4 tracks from Torben Waldorff's “American Rock Beauty," simply redeem your certificate log in number (66-10371329-87302) by clicking here. To purchase ...
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Torben Waldorff's American Rock Beauty
Source:
Clay Wilson
Torben Waldorff's latest ArtistShare CD “American Rock Beauty" has been receiving praise from fans and journalists alike for both it's compositions and improvisations. Joined by Donny McCaslin, Jon Cowherd, Matt Clohesy, and Jon Wikan, Torben leads the group through his beautiful tunes to areas that defy genre. To preview some tunes from “American Rock Beauty," simply redeem your certificate log in number (66-10371329-87302) by clicking here. To purchase “American Rock Beauty" as a mail order CD, or digital download, click ...
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Download Three Free MP3 Tracks from Mike Mainieri, Torben Waldorff, George Kahn and Kerry Politzer
Source:
Michael Ricci
An AAJ exclusive! Download THREE FREE tracks from these outstanding artists. If you enjoy what you hear, support the artists and purchase their music.
Mike Mainieri
Like Someone in Love Crescent 6:00 The Brat 2.0 5:42 Don't Break Step Twelve Pieces 5:49
Torben Waldorff
American Rock Beauty American Rock Beauty 5:00 Choro Dancado Afterburn 05:50 Alice Brilliance, Live at the 55 Bar NYC 08:38 ...
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Torben Waldorff Tour USA and New CD on Artistshare "American Rock Beauty"
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
GUITARIST TORBEN WALDORFF CELEBRATES RECENT ARTISTSHARE CD “AMERICAN ROCK BEAUTY" With Performances in Toronto, Rochester, Seattle and Brooklyn “Music full of great playing and soul." -- John Heidt, Vintage Guitar “Danish guitarist Torben Waldorff is a supple and respectful player and a composer of breadth and depth." -- Carlo Wolff, JazzTimes “The dialog between Waldorff and McCaslin is the main attraction on this recording (Afterburn), with many rich moments featuring the two in near perfect alliance." -- Mitch Myers, DownBeat ...
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Never overplaying, Waldorff seems to tease the maximum amount of emotion from every note he plays.- Dr. Matt Warnock, MODERN GUITARIST
“The dialog between Waldorff and McCaslin is the main attraction on this recording (Afterburn), with many rich moments featuring the two in near perfect alliance.” -Mitch Myers, DOWNBEAT
Torben Waldorff may have composed one of the best albums I’ve heard so far in 2010. -Paul Pelon IV, AUDIOPHILE AUDITION
It is a marvelous piece of music… -music that is diverse, rich in detail and abiding musicality. -Jerry D'Souza, allaboutjazz.com
Photos
Music
American Rock Beauty
From: American Rock BeautyBy Torben Waldorff
Alice
From: Brilliance, Live at the 55 Bar...By Torben Waldorff
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Torben Waldorff
Instrument: Guitar, electric
Born: July 6, 1963
