Biography
Prior to 2001 the Jack Brothers had issued only three albums across sixteen years and remained best known as street performers whose sets centered on irreverent John Coltrane interpretations. Their second release earned critical notice, yet the group continued performing in the streets of Göteborg. In 2001 they adopted an unusually ambitious schedule, issuing one album each month and titling every record after a month in the French revolutionary calendar.
Saxophonist Jonas Åkerblom, previously of Position Alpha, returned from Germany in 1984 and formed the duo Jack Brothers in Göteborg with actor and drummer Kylén. Weary of elaborate free-form jazz and concept-driven pieces, they began working together as a stripped-down unit. Jazz bassist Bellnäs joined in 1988; for the next several years the still-obscure trio played both on the streets of their hometown and in local jazz clubs. Although they had already recorded cassettes for sidewalk sale, their self-titled debut album did not appear until 1994. Released on their own Slask label, it featured covers of compositions by Elmore James and Sonny Rollins rendered in the band’s raw, rocky jazz approach—an amalgam they likened to R&B propelled by straight-ahead, pounding drums and, at times, to punk.
Their follow-up, King Coltrane, contained only Coltrane material to which the Jack Brothers supplied original lyrics and, on several tracks, added verses by Shakespeare. The record attracted attention in foreign jazz publications, where reviewers generally praised its irreverent and daring handling of revered source material. Instead of bringing wider recognition, however, the album triggered licensing disputes because the band had set its own words to copyrighted compositions. Settlements were reached with every rights holder except the most significant, Coltrane’s widow; consequently the album was withdrawn and remained unavailable for two years until an agreement was finalized.
Viva la Revolución appeared in 1999 on Amigo and consisted entirely of original material that emphasized rock and blues influences. The monthly-release project of 2001 began the following January with Nivôse -- Kärlek På Svenska, continued in February with the free-form Pluviôse -- Spräck, and proceeded in March with the blues-oriented Ventôse -- Blues, each installment adopting a distinct musical style.
Saxophonist Jonas Åkerblom, previously of Position Alpha, returned from Germany in 1984 and formed the duo Jack Brothers in Göteborg with actor and drummer Kylén. Weary of elaborate free-form jazz and concept-driven pieces, they began working together as a stripped-down unit. Jazz bassist Bellnäs joined in 1988; for the next several years the still-obscure trio played both on the streets of their hometown and in local jazz clubs. Although they had already recorded cassettes for sidewalk sale, their self-titled debut album did not appear until 1994. Released on their own Slask label, it featured covers of compositions by Elmore James and Sonny Rollins rendered in the band’s raw, rocky jazz approach—an amalgam they likened to R&B propelled by straight-ahead, pounding drums and, at times, to punk.
Their follow-up, King Coltrane, contained only Coltrane material to which the Jack Brothers supplied original lyrics and, on several tracks, added verses by Shakespeare. The record attracted attention in foreign jazz publications, where reviewers generally praised its irreverent and daring handling of revered source material. Instead of bringing wider recognition, however, the album triggered licensing disputes because the band had set its own words to copyrighted compositions. Settlements were reached with every rights holder except the most significant, Coltrane’s widow; consequently the album was withdrawn and remained unavailable for two years until an agreement was finalized.
Viva la Revolución appeared in 1999 on Amigo and consisted entirely of original material that emphasized rock and blues influences. The monthly-release project of 2001 began the following January with Nivôse -- Kärlek På Svenska, continued in February with the free-form Pluviôse -- Spräck, and proceeded in March with the blues-oriented Ventôse -- Blues, each installment adopting a distinct musical style.
Albums
