Solo clarinet LP by Isak Hedtjärn from Stockholm is called Kvarpan (FÖNSTRET 5).
Get impression he’s proud of having developed his own very personal way of playing and investigating this instrument. Even the word “kvarpa” has a special meaning for him, and he’s stuck with it since as long as he can remember having this straight metal (not a wooden type) wind instrument in his hands. Personal, yet not stuck in bubble of ivory, he respects his tutors and mentors, who in turn showed him other tutors and mentors from history of jazz. Since these 11 short-ish improvisations were recorded in a single day, it might be we’re only getting a glimpse of the full extent of his talents. If he sat down on another day to attempt to realise or manifest the same musical visions that crawl in his noggin, it’s possible a totally different record would result.
Some overdubs; the “virtual quartet” thing (as on ‘Starka Toner’) is a nice touch. He’s played in groups and collabs in Stockholm, sometimes as a leader; inevitably has played with Fire!Orchestra and Mats Gustafsson contributes liner notes in his characteristic effusive manner. Yet Kvarpan is for most part not a wild, untamed free jazz expedition, rather introspective and fit for musing episodes, full of plaintive bleats and murmurings. At other times, he resembles a more altruistic version of Evan Parker, one who’s prepared to meet you halfway. (23/09/2024)