Karin Hammar is one of Sweden’s most in-demand freelance trombonists; she has been a bandleader for over 25 years, co-leads ‘The Sliding Hammers’ with her fellow trombonist and sister Mimmi Hammar, and has worked with international household names including Gary Burton and Maria Schneider. 

Rita Marcotulli has been an important name of European jazz for over four decades, touring with giants including Pat Metheny, Chet Baker, Kenny Wheeler and Billy Cobham and winning several awards and prizes in the field of film music scoring.

After having combined the Fab4 with several different guests over the past few years, Hammar felt the timing was right to invite a pianist into the quartet’s world. Being a long time fan of Marcotulli, Hammar asked her to collaborate. The quintet came together in Stockholm in April 2022 and recorded a collection of nine new songs together.

With a contemplative ECM-esque tone, the record boasts emotive, balladic passages of soaring melody and high-energy, virtuosic musicianship in equal measure. Marcotulli’s seamless integration into the established quartet opens the door to a greater world of intricacy, harmony and interplay, as the roles of soloist and accompanist flutter frequently between instruments. 

Hammar’s voice as a seasoned composer and effortlessly technical trombonist are in the spotlight, with thoughtful quintet arrangements shifting focus to different areas of the ensemble to create striking changes in mood and texture.

2023 promises to be a great year for the Fab4, with a particular highlight including their headline performance at Jazz Baltica festival in Germany.

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