"Letter to NHØP" is bassist Bo Stiefs celebration of his friend, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, who without comparison became the biggest Danish jazz name ever internationally. He defined the role of the bass in jazz, and put Denmark on the world map of music as the favorite bassist of the giant Oscar Peterson for over 15 years.
Not only was NHØP a great inspiration for Bo Stief, while they both started their musical childhood in Jazzhus Montmartre - at the school of the great Americans who had moved to Copenhagen and used the club as their playground - the two also often played together: Among other things in DR?s Big Band, on the album 'Heart to Heart' with Palle Mikkelborg, and on Aura with Miles Davies. The picture here is from a musical game between the two in Montmartre in the mid-70s.
As is well known, NHØP died far too young in 2005 at only 58 years old at the peak of his career. But every year around his birthday in May, Bo Stief celebrates 'The Great Dane', as many lovingly and respectfully called him.
- Personally, I have sent a thank you to Niels-Henning in my quiet mind for putting such a demanding level on our instrument that he has kept me away from the street corners. As a Danish bassist, you have not had time to hang around there, Bo Stief wrote in his memorial letter about his friend:
- Niels-Henning's life's work is that the double bass will never be the same after his revolutionary seven-mile stride. Technically and musically, he has time and again done what everyone thought was impossible. New techniques, fantastic chops, strong, easy-to-understand basic swinging bass lines, exuberant energy and ideas, clear diction, tempo control, incredible solos and beautiful lyrical melody guidance are some of the many things he has given us.
This evening we encounter the clear, luminous and masculine playing of saxophonist Hans Ulrik, heard here in close interaction with the always inspiring and inventive Henrik Gunde, whose piano playing is in a class of its own, and the deeply swinging Morten Lund on the drums.