My new friend Lars Ole Christiansen posted this video by the intercontinental band RAGSTRETCH. That hot band characterizes itself here on Facebook as “New Orleans inspired jazz! Scandinavian horns meet New York-based Aussies for an upcoming tour of Denmark and Norway.”
That in itself would be enough to convince me. But RAGSTRETCH is also fortunate enough to have my friend Shannon Barnett (an astonishing player, shoes on or off) on trombone in the front line.
They are playing William H. Tyers’ PANAMA . . . and they are playing it in Copenhagen. Can you say, “Jazz is a universal language.”?
I was about a minute into this video before I said, “More people need to hear this RIGHT NOW.” So here you are!
RAGSTRETCH is Chris Tanner, clarinet; Björn Ingelstam, trumpet; Shannon Barnett, trombone; Craig Fermanis, guitar; Sam Anning, string bass; Rajiv Jayweera, drums. Recorded at the Copenhagen Harbour Jazz Festival, July 7, 2013
May your happiness increase!