A remarkable album of free improvisation from the Scandinavian quartet of Isak Hedtjarn on clarinet, Lisa Ullen on piano, Elsa Bergman on double bass, and Erik Carlsson on drums, captivating the listener with active and detailed interplay of strong intention and technical skill.
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Sample The Album:
Isak Hedtjarn-clarinet
Lisa Ullen-piano
Elsa Bergman-doublebass
Erik Carlsson-drums
Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.
UPC: 5609063003680
Label: Clean Feed
Catalog ID: CF368
Squidco Product Code: 22122
Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2016
Country: Portugal
Packaging: Cardstock Gatefold Sleeve
Recorded at Atlantis Studio, Stockholm Sweden, on June 5th, 2015, by Janne Hansson.
"The rich Scandinavian scene keeps revealing all its multiplicity and inventiveness. Now it happens with the first opus by the quartet Festen, assembled by Isak Hedtjarn, Lisa Ullén, Elsa Bergman and Erik Carlsson. The last track of the album is titled "it never gets better than this", and it's right: to go beyond what you'll find here would be difficult, but considering the quality and the capacity for novelty happening in the North of Europe we never know.
What surprises most about this cauldron of creativity is the number of new names constantly appearing, and you find some of the best in this recording. The most internationally recognizable is the one of pianist Lisa Ullén, and she acts in this context like a fish in the ocean. And what a vast ocean, with a central current marked by a renewed perspective of what we call free jazz, fed by reminiscences coming from every sort of contemporary, new and experimental music. Acoustic, raw and spontaneous, Festen's art is hyperactive, bright and very affirmative, simultaneously heavy and fragile, visceral and subtle, capable either of a big impact or taking you to a microscopic world of intricate details. A wonder once again, but with different arguments."-Clean Feed Records
Artist Biographies
• Show Bio for Lisa Ullen "Lisa Ullén, pianist and composer. Born 1964 Seoul Korea, grew up in the north of Sweden, now based in Stockholm. Graduated in 1990 from the Royal Academy of Music, Stockholm . Studies in jazz and improvisation at Chapel Hill NC USA. electro-acoustic music at EMS (Electro Acoustic Studio of Sweden). Among her commissioned works are intermedia project Kyrillien, chamber manga opera Ninjutsu , musical drama play Now time is waiting. She has been supported and rewarded by the Swedish Arts Council, the Society of Swedish Composers, Swedish Arts Grant, and the Royal Music Academy. The musicians of Lisa Ullén Quartet have their musical roots in jazz, punk, chamber music and blues but come together in what might modestly be called modern acoustic improvisational music. An impressively keen ear is paired with astounding musicianship, where each single note played is as important as the linear totality. A new generation of Swedish musicians expand the concept of free jazz, giving space to beat and melody as well. All the members of the group are well established on the Swedish jazz and improvisation scene. LUQ have been broadcast by the Swedish National radio and TV and the second album was released in April -09 with very good reviews Lisa Ullén and Nina de Heney Duo has existed since 2007, and has rapidly gained recognition as one the most thrilling new groups on the improvisation scene in Sweden. They are individually known and respected as well established performers, having each developed a personal sound on their respective instruments. Their second album, released in April -09, received very good reviews.They have performed at the main festivals in Sweden, such as the Umeå International Jazz Festival and the Stockholm Jazz Festival, and their music has several times been broad-casted on the National Swedish Jazz Radio P2." ^ Hide Bio for Lisa Ullen • Show Bio for Elsa Bergman Elsa Bergman is a Stockholm, Sweden-based double bass-player working in free jazz and improvised music. She plays in the free jazz sextet "Anna Högberg Attack", who have released and album on Swedish label Omlott. She is also a member of the high-energy improv quartet "Festen" whose debut albumwas on the Portuguese label Clean Feed. She leads her own quartet "Elsas Eget Omdöme", and is a member of Fire! Orchestra, Golden Offence Orchestra, Hästköttskandalen, Motståndsorkestern Version 1. ^ Hide Bio for Elsa Bergman • Show Bio for Erik Carlsson "Erik Carlsson is an improvising percussionist whose blissful sounds resound throughout the world. Apart from performing solo, he is also heard with musicians and ensembles such as Toshimaru Nakamura, Tetuzi Akiyama, Martin Küchen, Chip Shop Music, Skogen and Mats Gustafsson's Swedish Azz." ^ Hide Bio for Erik Carlsson
12/9/2025
Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.
Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.
12/9/2025
Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.
Track Listing:
1. In the Kitchen 19:19
2. 2015 Forever 10:24
3. "det blir aldrig battre an sa har" 8:09
4. "It Never Gets Better Than This" 5:07
Improvised Music
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Free Improvisation
Jazz
Quartet Recordings
Clean Feed
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