Oddgeir Berg Trio - Jazzclub Karlsruhe e.V.

Neues Weihnachts-Programm „Christmas with Friends“ mit dem Saxofonist André Meisner

Four years ago, the Oddgeir Berg Trio published a highly praised album of seasonal standards described as “the slowest Christmas album ever.” A follow-up seemed only natural - still, this is so much more than just Christmas came Early Part 2.

Christmas with Friends was written specifically for the band's live shows and with more uptempo songs in mind. Especially the second half of the record considerably picks up the pace, with funky, playful renditions of “Santa Claus is coming to Town” and “O Tannenbaum.”

Other arrangements feel like natural extensions of the trio's signature style: Opener “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” for example, pulses along with the cool resolve of a Nordic mountain stream, and “Sing we now of Christmas” would not seem out of place on an ECM recording.

Berg's parents used to work for the Salvation Army which explains his love for Christmas in general, as well as its communal aspects. And so, two guests join in the festivities here: Saxophonist Iain Ballamy, whom Berg loved for his intense, lyrical stints with Django Bates, and trumpet virtuoso Mike Cottone (“He has a jam-mentality and plays with a passionate feeling”) turn this album into a truly celebratory affair.

Clearly, then, Christmas with Friends doesn't play it safe. If Christmas came Early was possibly the slowest Christmas album of all time – this may well have turned into one of the most exploratory and joyful ones.

Oddgeir war mit seinem Trio die letzten Jahre regelmäßiger Gast im Jazzclub
Mit seinem Programm „Christmas came early“ gab er mit seinem Trio während Corona ein Streaming-Konzert (wurde auf der Club-Baustelle aufgezeichnet) im Jazzclub Karlsruhe

Oddgeir Berg - Klavier / Audun Ramo - Bass / Runar Netland - Schlagzeug / André Meisner - Saxofon