One Knife is Enough – Piano Solos 1982 and 2003

Per Henrik Wallin is one of Sweden’s most individual jazz pianists and composers, with a production that is as consistent as it is varied. In 2003, he was awarded the prizes Gyllene Skivan (The Gold Record) along with the Swedish Radio’s prize “Jazzkatten” (the Jazz Cat) for the big band recording “Tiveden”.

On this CD eight old pieces, taken from the Caprice LP “One knife is enough” from 1982, and eight new works, recorded during the spring of 2003 are presented. A common thread in these 16 works is that they do not ask the question “why,” simply living and breathing in an organically flowing, “because.” It is music filled with thoroughly thought out but abrupt shifts between free and fettered, odd accents, serious humor, and unusual gestures. And even more, depth instead of surface, reflection instead of tempo, rhythm instead of resonance.

Under this sometimes unruly shell with its occasionally chafing sonorities, a journey towards constantly new discoveries and experiences awaits—because Per Henrik Wallin is always on his way somewhere, whether it be in the vicinity of tradition or freedom. No matter where, he is always just as urgently refreshing, never obvious or interchangeable, always himself.