Christer Bothen

Vilhelm Bromander: In This Forever Unfolding Moment

by Chris May
September 15, 2023

Ornette Coleman's haunting “Lonely Woman" is becoming something of a 2023 soundtrack. At the time of writing, we have had memorable versions from Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble on Spirit Gatherer (Spirit Muse), and Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter on The Iridescent Spree (Edition), plus another couple of efforts about which the less said the better. Here comes a third boss edition. Sort of. “Låt Våra Tårar Bli Våra Vapen," which opens side two of Vilhelm Bromander's ...

Christer Bothen Acoustic Ensemble: 7 Pieces

by Mark F. Turner
January 10, 2003

If you like your jazz with a serious kick, then look no further than the music of Scandinavian artist Christer Bothen. A potent bass clarinetist and composer, Bothen was influenced musically and personally by the late free jazz artist Don Cherry. Cherry turned Bothen on to his early music collaborations with the great Ornette Coleman, and that was all that was needed to ignite the creative flame that 7 Pieces represents.

Imagine combining Ornette's free jazz expressionism with Nordic and ...