Art of Life Records is pleased to present alto/soprano saxophonist and composer Hkan Brostrm's recording debut for Art of Life Records. Joining Hkan on “Refraction" are pianist Joey Calderazzo (Branford Marsalis), drummer Daniel Fredriksson and acoustic bassist Martin Sjstedt. The album features a version of the song “Nothing Personal" written by pianist Don Grolnick which originally appeared on saxophonist Michael Brecker's self-titled recording debut in addition to a version of the song “See Saw" written by pianist Richie Beirach. Pianist Joey Calderazzo contributes two original compositions, “Catwalk" and “The Oracle", in addition to two songs from bassist Martin Sjstedt and three songs from saxophonist Hkan Brostrm. “Refraction" was recorded and mixed by Gran Stegborn on February 27, 2008 at Sami Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. 24-bit digital mastering by Paul G. Kohler at Art of Life Studios in Ridgeland, South Carolina in May 2010.
Hkan Brostrm started out on piano in his small Swedish home-town before, at the age of 15, he got ahold of a tenor saxophone in order to join a local blues band. Ever since then he has been playing saxophones of all sizes but early on he made the alto and the soprano his main instruments. While still a teenager he became a student at the College of Music in Malm where one of his teachers was Helge Albin, alto saxophonist, composer and leader of the Tolvan Big Band. At this time Hkan co-founded the quintet Equinox which also featured tenor saxophonist Tomas Franck. After settling in Stockholm in 1984 Hkan soon established himself as one of the foremost saxophonists on the scene fronting his own combos and playing with the groups of trombonist Eje Thelin, trumpeter Gustavo Bergalli, guitarist Ulf Wakenius and others. He was also a member of the Swedish Radio Jazz Group, the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra and other big bands and he also played blues and reggae music with singer Peps Persson. In 1993 Hkan joined the ranks of the Norrbotten Big Band fronted by American trumpeter Tim Hagans. Besides leading the saxophone section on alto and soprano he is a heavily featured soloist and he also contributes arrangements and compositions. Over the years many well-known Swedish Jazz musicians have joined the groups led by Hkan Brostrm mainly playing music from his pen. Together with saxophonist Johan Hrln, Hkan also fronts a quintet, Birdsongs, who plays music associated with Charlie Parker and the Bebop era.
Hkan Brostrm started out on piano in his small Swedish home-town before, at the age of 15, he got ahold of a tenor saxophone in order to join a local blues band. Ever since then he has been playing saxophones of all sizes but early on he made the alto and the soprano his main instruments. While still a teenager he became a student at the College of Music in Malm where one of his teachers was Helge Albin, alto saxophonist, composer and leader of the Tolvan Big Band. At this time Hkan co-founded the quintet Equinox which also featured tenor saxophonist Tomas Franck. After settling in Stockholm in 1984 Hkan soon established himself as one of the foremost saxophonists on the scene fronting his own combos and playing with the groups of trombonist Eje Thelin, trumpeter Gustavo Bergalli, guitarist Ulf Wakenius and others. He was also a member of the Swedish Radio Jazz Group, the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra and other big bands and he also played blues and reggae music with singer Peps Persson. In 1993 Hkan joined the ranks of the Norrbotten Big Band fronted by American trumpeter Tim Hagans. Besides leading the saxophone section on alto and soprano he is a heavily featured soloist and he also contributes arrangements and compositions. Over the years many well-known Swedish Jazz musicians have joined the groups led by Hkan Brostrm mainly playing music from his pen. Together with saxophonist Johan Hrln, Hkan also fronts a quintet, Birdsongs, who plays music associated with Charlie Parker and the Bebop era.
