Departure for Sweden is delayed a day. Let’s use the pause to mention some of what I’m looking forward to at the Ystad Jazz Festival, in addition to the charming medieval town itself. We don’t have time for more than a couple of mentions and preview videos, but I must tell you that I’m anticipating my first live performance by the Swedish singer Rigmor Gustafsson. The video was made of part of her quartet gig aboard a boat, the s/s Blidösund. We’re not told the name of the body of water or the other members of the band, but we know who the drummer is–Johan Löfcrantz Ramsay (no relation). If this is the group Ms. Gustafsson is taking to Ystad, hooray. The song is by Cole Porter.
It will also be a treat to once again hear Mare Nostrum, the trio composed of accordionist Richard Galliano, pianist Jan Lundgren and trumpeter Paolo Fresu. They have become favorites of the Ystad audience…for good reason. Here, they play Lundgren’s “Love Land.”
Rifftides reports from Ystad 2019 will begin in a couple of days.