Kristian Jørgensen Quartet - Love Letters (2007)

Bass – Thomas Fonnesbæk; Drums – Karsten Bagge; Guitar – Jacob Fischer; Violin – Kristian Jørgensen.

Kristian Jørgensen is a promising young Danish jazz violinist, with this being his fifth CD as a leader. Accompanied by frequent collaborator Jacob Fischer, bassist Thomas Fonnesbæk, and drummer Karsten Bagge, Jørgensen shows a remarkable freshness on his instrument, which is also helped by his choice of offbeat songs like Irving Berlin's lyrical gem "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" (from the musical Annie Get Your Gun), which features lyrical solos by the leader and Fischer. But Jørgensen transforms tango master Astor Piazzolla's "Escuallo" into more of a fusion setting, giving it a bluesy sound as he swings like mad. He recasts the sole standard, "But Not for Me," by alternating between funk and swing. Jørgensen's originals are just as potent. "That Old Soccer Boy" is full of whimsy, while "Belle de Boskoop" blends Gypsy swing with bossa nova. Recommended. ~Ken Dryden