LP-752

Rune Ofwerman's Piano With Voices - Cool

Released 1965

Recording and Session Information

Allan Botschinsky, trumpet; Rolf Billberg, alto saxophone; Rune Ofwerman, piano; Erik Moseholm, bass; Bert Dahlander, drums; Vocal choir, Gunnar Lunden-Welden, director
Copenhagen, Denmark, January 17 1961

Whatcha Gonna Do
Amen
Bobsled
Gospel Walk
Mellow Cool
Helen's Theme

Rune Ofwerman, piano; Jimmy Woode, bass; Art Taylor, drums
Stockholm, Sweden, February 15 1961

The Man From Potter's Crossing
King's Men

Rune Ofwerman, piano; Sture Nordin, bass; Egil Johansen, drums
Stockholm, Sweden, November 21 1961

M-83

Rune Gustaffson, guitar; Rune Ofwerman, piano; Sture Nordin, bass; Egil Johansen, drums, Bjarne Nerem, latin rhythm Stockholm, Sweden, November 12 1962

Bossa Nova Sueca
Ortego Bossa Nova

Track Listing

Whatcha Gonna Do	Nat 'King' Cole	January 17 1961
Amen	Donald Byrd	January 17 1961
Bobsled	G. Lunden-Walden/R. Ofwerman	January 17 1961
Gospel Walk	R. Ofwerman	January 17 1961
Mellow Cool	Ake Hallgren	January 17 1961
Helen's Theme	George Riedel	January 17 1961
Bossa Nova Sueca	R. Ofwerman/Kurt Mark	November 12 1962
M-83	R. Ofwerman	November 21 1961
The Man From Potter's Crossing	Jimmy Woode, Jr.	February 15 1961
Ortego Bossa Nova	R. Ofwerman	November 12 1962
King's Men	R. Ofwerman	February 15 1961

Liner Notes

ALTHOUGH jazz has been appreciated and played in Europe almost as long as it has in America, it continually amazes one to discover another kindred talent from there. In the northern European or Scandinavian section, musicians of superior worth have been on the modern jazz scene almost from the very beginning. Till now, Bengt Hallberg and Rheinhold Svensson have been the outstanding Nordic pianists With the emergence of Rune Ofwerman. the field now enlarges.

Rune is featured basically in two contexts: on side one a vocal chorus is added. Side two is all instrumental. His playing is on the bright, happy side, although his fondness for the piano's lower register sometimes gives him a more somber sound. In many places Rune shows the rhythmic influence of the late great pianist, Nat 'King' Cole. Of the eleven selections in this Rune is composer (in full or in part) of six. The chorus is conducted hy Gunnar Lundén-WeIden, and all of their arrangements, excepting George Riedel's 'Helen's Theme", are by him.

The vocal approach this small group is unique in that it does not, in this imitative day and age, try to emulate any of the going singing groups such as the Double Six Of Paris or The Swingle Singers. Rather, they revert to the lyric-less statements of chordal backgrounds which were so popular during the days of the fine groups of the swing era. Their voicings are mellow, never strained, and always in tune. Sometimes they merely state the theme, other times they'll shake you with a mighty brass-type shout.

The first two tunes of side one are American compositions, "Whatcha Gonna Do" by Nat 'King' Cole shows off the strong rhythm team of deep-walking bassist Erik Moseholm and well-known drummer Bert (Dale) Dahlander. Donald Byrd's "Amen" is the only augmented selection on the vocal side of the album, with two horns added. Rune's fine solo on this is matched with a short but sweet muted one by trumpeter Allan Botsehinsky. Lundén-WeIden and Ofwerman collaborated on the creation of "Bobsled", which has an odd, minor-sounding theme that features beautiful voice parts behind the piano. It gets a little 'Bach-ish' and gives a pictorial image of a bouncing bobsled gliding happily down the moonlit face of a friendly snow-covered mountain. Rune's "Gospel Walk" opens and closes with a rich choral statement that sets the down-home mood. In between, the rhythm swings steady and hard, while the chorus sounds mellow and happy. Rune's fleet Dizzy quote during his solo fits right into the shouting groove.

On the second side, Rune Öfwerman is given the chance to match creative skills with two different rhythm sections. One tunes one, two and four, he has Sture Nordin (bass) and Egil Johansen (drums), with Rune Gustafsson (guitar) and Bjame Nerem (rhythm) added on the bossa novas. On these tunes Rune's affection for and ability in the modern Latin idiom is very evident. "Sueca" swings lightly, "Ortega" mightily, the latter remniscent in its general chord pattern to that of the standard song. "Out Of Nowhere". An odd Martian-type intro, and an up-tempo body make "M-83" an excellent vehicle for the fast-walking bass of Nordin, and the Blakey-like drum solo of Johansen.

Two expatriate American musicians, now permanent European residents, drummer Art Taylor and bassist Jimmy Woode. Jr., support Rune Ofwerman on the remaining two selections. Taylor one of the very best jazz percussionists and is well-known internationally, mostly for his work with such greats as Bud Powell and Rollins. Woode's most fame-garnering stint was the time he spent as part of the elegant Duke Ellington organization. He composed "The Man From Potter's Crossing", the theme and handling of which conjures a swinging man of mystery, with one of Jimmy's rare solos showcased. Rune's tune, "King's Men", which closes the album, is a bright-tempoed blues that swings all the way. His four-bar exchanges with Art Taylor, and his fadeout on an "Afterhours" kick make this cut outstanding.

All in all, just from listening to these few offerings by Rune Ofwerman, it seems as though American pianists now have a new talent with which to contend. So also do the pop composers, for Rune's bossa novas are very beautiful. and his "Bobsled" and "M-83" are unusual and interesting. Yes, talented and versatile Rune Ofwerrnan should be highly successful in the music business, for, as the tide of this album indicates, he is Very "COOL"!

—Joe Segal

Rune Ofwerman was born on Christmas Eve in 1933 in a small village outside Stockholm caned Vingåker. He strtated taking piano lessons at the age of six but lost interest after couple of years. A few years he heard some boogie-woogie records and again became interested in the piano. During his college years in Stockholm he organised a band which soon became very popular. After his school years, Rune decided to become a professional musician and his first job was with trumpeter Rolf Ericsson, who is now living in the U.S. Since then, Rune has played with many top bands in Sweden and is considered one of Sweden's top jazz pianists. In 1957 he played with American clarinetist Tony Scott at the famous "Nalen" in Stockholm. Scott made some recordings with a trio headed by Rune and the trio sounded so good that Swedish record company recorded an album with the trio alone. The next year Rune was signed to an exclusive recording contract with Gazell Record Company and at that time he also became A&R director for the company, supervising both pop and jazz recordings. During the following years, he had a tremendous success with his jazz trio and many of the trio's recordings have sold large quantities. A few of his own compositions have become jaw standards. He has made recordings with practically every important Swedish jazz soloist, as well as with guesting Americans like Herbie Mann and Tony Scott. For a long period Rune played on all recordings featuring the famous Swedish baritone sax player Lars Gullin, and he is often heard with the Harry Arnold Radio Studio Band. As a pianist, he lists the late Nat 'King' Cole and Clarence 'Pinetop' Smith among his strongest influences.