Manafonistas

Leonard Cohen is reportedly releasing a new album to coincide with his 80th birthday. It is called „Popular Problems“. Release week: last days of September. He can murmur, mumble, rumble, he can speak, sing-speak or watch his choir do the singalong parts, doesn’t matter. The fact alone puts a smile on my face.

Hello, Gregor, Michael, and all the other manafonistas! I saw this film at an open-air screening in front of Hamburg Town Hall.  The (nearly) full moon illuminated the scarce patches of low cloud while the rest of the sky remained clear and twinkly. The air was warm, the audience was friendly and appreciative, sharing wine, snacks and even blankets that they had brought along with them. I was with a very dear friend.

Of course, the plot was probably written on the back of a Gauloises packet but that didn’t seem to matter last night. The direction is rather conservative for Hitchcock film, although I did enjoy the way the fireworks were employed to denote rising sexual tension. From the impeccable Mr Grant and the truly breathtaking Miss Kelly to the stunning locations, costumes and flowers, the film is really just an excuse for a photographic orgy. The perfect film for a warm summer evening.

Afterwards, my friend and I sat looking at the ships in the harbour while we talked and drank another bottle of wine until 3am. This is what summer should always be like. Thank you Hamburg! Thank you Alfred!

Best, Gilbert Spoon

Drummer Kresten Osgood is the Jack of all trades on the Danish jazz-scene and yes, he has recorded an album with Paul Bley (even as Jakob Bro). As you can see he is a kind of tornado guy. Here he’s doing a short survey on jazz history – by demonstrating. He is a member of the ILK collective in Copenhagen.
 
 
 

 
 
 
Concerning Marie-Laurette Friis: you can learn more about her if you read my review of her recent performance in Copenhagen – just out on All About Jazz . She is an exceptional performer.
 
 
 

 
 
 
Here together with Kresten Osgood, Jonas Kullhammar, Ole Morten Vågan and Jason Moran performing at Molde Festival last year
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
And here once again a picture from Osgood’s lecture on jazz history – together with Kasper Tranberg, trumpet, and Jonas Westergard, double-bass. His bass drum says: „Music Is The Healing Force Of The Universe.“
 
 
 

 
 
© FoBo_HenningBolte