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"The only truth is music." - Jack Kerouac

Jan Harbeck

The charismatic tenor saxofophonist and composer, Jan Harbeck, has released some of the best selling danish instru- mental jazz records for many years. The three records, all released on the label ”Stunt”, has excited with its characteri- stic mellow and soulful tranquility. He belongs to the group of jazzmusicians who follow on the big tradition of the swing- era, but, at the same time, are transforming and personalizing the genre.

Politiken newspaper stated that ”Nobody quiet like Harbeck knows how to blow so much soul into a jazz ballade. The tenor saxophone is the essential sound of jazz. The soul of the genre. Once we had Ben Webster to awaken souls. Today we have Jan Harbeck”

Jan Harbecks quartet’s approach to music became highly recognized and awarded. Surprisingly, IN STILL OF THE NIGHT (Stunt) swept all other favorits aside to win the Jazz Specials award for ”Best Record” in 2008. During the same year Harbeck was nominated for ”Best Upcoming Jazz Artist” at the Danish Music Awards and also won the prestigious ”Bent Jædig Award”.

Harbecks evocative and exstroverted swing got him many fri- ends and the following record COPENHAGEN NOCTURNE (Stunt, 2011), was strongly appreciated. It is a very stylish and original album where Harbeck has managed to crave out even more presence on both his own compositions and the other jazz standards included on the album.  It seems indifferent to Harbeck whether it is his own or others material he is playing, as long as he can find the very ker- nel of the musical expression and meaning. It is safe to say that he has manifested himself as one of the most relevant danish saxophonists. On VARIATIONS IN BLUE (Stunt cd & lp, 2014) he takes a step further in a collaboration with the american saxophonist, Walter Smith III. Working as brothers, it becomes clear that Smith also prioritises the deep and inner presence of the music as oppsoed to a musical ego.