New CD released October 15, 2021 on Losen Records!
Buy it now!
Price: $ 20.00 Shipping: $ 4.00
Jens Wendelboe
with A Nordic Sound-An American Jazz Orchestra
”Against All Odds”
Please contact me if you wish to order this new CD at: jwendelboe@gmail.com
Order of songs:
01 After the Snow 5:43
02 Triplet Whiskey 5:20
03 Chasing Rainbows 4:14
05 In The Beginning 3:20
08 Frank’s Funky World #3 2:38
09 A Weekend in Oslo 6:32
10 Erobreren (the Conqueror) 4:03
11 Inside Out 6:38
12 Sulla-Tulla 9:11
Total time 60:24
List of all musicians on:
Jens Wendelboe
with
A Nordic Sound
Against All Odds
Featuring on Vocal: Stephanie Harrison
Special guests: Ken Gioffre, Saxophone, Joel A. Martin, Kris Yunker, Keys
Vocal: Stephanie Harrison
Saxophone: Jon Saxon, Keith Gurland, Ken Nigro, Fred Scerbo, Jason Polise
Trumpet: Per Onnerud, Louise Baranger, Andrew Willmott, Larry Nissman
Trombone: Joe Letizia, Erick Storckman, Howard Levy
Bass Trombone-Tuba, Walter Barrett
Keys: Paul Mariconda, Joel A. Martin, Kris Yunker
Guitar: Ryan Parrino
Bass: Michael Nunno
Drums: Tyger MacNeal
Lyrics: Kari Iveland
Composer, Trombone and Conductor: Jens Wendelboe
Jens Wendelboe with A Nordic Sound, “Against All Odds” story.
This is the longest and hardest CD production that I have ever ventured into in my entire career. But as I have always said, it is the process, not the final product that is interesting.
Composing music can be a very solitary endeavor, but writing and arranging the 12 compositions for this band and CD production was a very interesting journey in and of itself.
Working with the lyricist Kari Iveland, whom I have now had the pleasure of working with on many different projects, was a blast.
COVID 19
We were only able to have one full band rehearsal at a private home, and fatefully managed to get all the rhythm section tracks recorded in just two full days right before Covid 19 quarantine measures set in, in March 2020.
Then the problems started. Everything got shut down and the policy of not being able gather more than 4 people made it impossible to work with a 20 piece big band.
We needed to come up with a new and safe plan for rehearsals and recordings. Multiple phone calls and virtual meetings were had, and dates were thrown around to see if we could at least try to rehearse sections of the band outside in my back yard… but, it simply wasn’t safe to do so. Then the pandemic got even worse and grounded everything to a complete halt for months.
Several new attempts were made to hold the horn section rehearsals, but to no avail.
We even had a trumpet section rehearsal that started, but was called off after a few minutes because it didn’t feel safe.
Then around June 2020, it was finally warm enough for us to do a safe-distance rehearsal outside to my neighbors delight. We pulled it off with the saxophone section, and the next day we recorded the 4 saxophones in the studio by placing people in booths, more than 10 feet apart and with masks, open windows and doors.
Jason Polise my co-producer/Magician/Mixer/Editor and musician had now edited and mixed the rhythm section tracks and, he had also recorded the Baritone sax alone for safety reasons. This was done before the other saxophonists came to the studio to record.
We repeated this procedure separately with the Trombone and Trumpet section in late June, and were able to get most of the sections recorded.
Now the process of editing and rough mixing of all the arrangements started.
Re-writing‘s have also been a part of the process, all the way to the end.
Jason and I now had to make rhythm section tracks for the different musicians to come in one by one and lay down their solos. Some people also recorded tracks at home and sent the tracks to us.
Just to collect and organize all the loose takes and versions of everything that was recorded, was a very tedious and long process.
God bless live recordings haha.
We even got a record company involved that was interested in releasing the production internationally from Norway.
They too of course had their wishes regarding this production and have been very positive and helpful in the process of getting this all finalized.
There were of course also several personal obstacles happening along
the way. A band consisting of more than 2 people is a potential problem so there. But here we are, proudly presenting the final product which we all are proud of and hope you too will enjoy.
—————-
Rekorder at Jason Polise Studio Connecticut USA, Januar 2020 through August 2021
Mastered at Lunds Lyd, Oslo Norway by Morten Lund, August 2021
Released on Losen Records, Oslo Norway by Odd Gjelsnes, October 15, 2021
Special thanks:
This project was made possible with support from the following sponsors:
Tono (Ascap), Norway
Norsk Komponistforening
Cover Design: Petter Holtmann
Cover Art: Tone Vestøl
Additional photos: Fred Scerbo and Drew Willmott
Special thanks to:
I am grateful to everyone involved in this production. Your beautiful and positive attitude from conception to completion has contributed to a fine product and a great experience. Without you all, this production would never have been possible during the COVID pandemic. Honorable mention goes to our special guests:
Ken Gioffre, Joel A. Martin and Kris Yunker for their great musical contributions.
All the band members for giving it their all to this production.
All other musicians that have played in the band since the start.
Christina and Per Onnerud for always letting “A Nordic Sound” Jazz Orchestra rehearse in their house. Not to mention the Coffee and Swedish cakes.
Jon Saxon for his great ability to always keep the band together.
The same goes for my friend Tyger MacNeal, but here in the capacity as a drummer that always has a great attitude.
Jason Polise, my co-producer on this production, who has worked tirelessly throughout this production. I thank him profusely for making this all happen. His musical and technological knowledge, not to mention his patience is just out of this world.
Steven Jankowski my dear friend, for always giving great advice and top sound and mixing inputs.
Victor Ponzo by frequently booking A Nordic Sound at his club “The Heights at Brother Vic’s”, gave us the opportunity to develop all this material. Victor Vanzo for always doing great sound and recordings there.
Joe Letizia for keeping the accounting straight.
Geir Harald Knutsen for having the idea to commission «Sulla Tula».
Odd Gjelsnes at Losen Records for releasing and taking this production under his wing.
Gloria Rosa-Wendelboe (my wonderful wife) who always picks up the loose ends and makes things right with her logistical support, as well for helping out with numerous grant applications.
My great kids Susanna & Daniel for always being so patient with me!
My brother Peter and his family for simply being there.
Per Olav Karlsen, my good friend for his keen ear and generosity.
…and to all those who contributed to this creation whose names I may have forgotten to mention.