Tenor and soprano saxophonist Jan Garbarek was inspired to become a saxophonist at the age of 14 when he first heard John Coltrane. The now 76-year-old Norwegian musician seeks to make his improvisational style of playing fit the tone, texture and temperament of the music. As he puts it: “It’s about finding a common language.” The quest to explore that language takes him through time and space, past countless styles and cultures such as the folk music of his native land, medieval polyphonic sounds, traditional melodies from the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East and, of course, jazz. Consequently, thanks to this musical journey, Garbarek has developed a completely unique and instantly recognizable sound. Although he likes collaborating and frequently does so with musicians like Bill Frisell, Keith Jarrett and Zakir Hussain, his quartet Jan Garbarek Group is the focal point of his creative existence. If you want to be surprised by spellbinding sounds blown in from every corner of the globe you should not miss this performance.
