Akbank Art stages Scandinavian group

ISTANBUL

Scadinavian The Oddjob Quintet takes the stage at Akbank Art Center on June 12.

The Oddjob Quintet takes the stage at Akbank Art Center on June 12. The group is a prime example of why Scandinavian musicians play such a prominent role in the latest happenings in jazz. It’s not just about technique and virtuosity; rather it’s unconditional concentration on a unique sound and the impact of the melody.

Oddjob consists of Sweden’s most talented studio musicians. Trumpeter Goran Kajfes has worked as a sideman for such pop stars as Sting, Eagle-Eye Cherry, Janet Jackson and the Cardigans. He has also caused a sensation with the soul-jazz band Blacknuss and his own projects, mixing Afro-American jazz with electronics and mysticism. Saxophonist Per “Ruskträsk” Johansson has worked with jazz greats Roy Hargrove, Fred Wesley, Randy Brecker and Nils Landgren. Together with Kajfes, he played with the Flesh Quartet, Blacknuss and Sting. Bassist Peter Forss has worked with Sophie Zelmani and Rebecca Törnqvist, among others, while drummer Janne Robertson has worked with a number of famous Scandinavians, including Mauro Scocco and Titiyo and Lisa Nilsson. Pianist Daniel Karlsson, a musician who has played with the likes of Till Brönner and ACT star Viktoria Tolstoy.

In 2002 Oddjob recorded their first CD titled, appropriately, Oddjob. The music is as unpretentious and straight-forward as the title; its humorous approach to the fusion tradition immediately attracted attention, and the CD was honored with a Swedish Grammy.