Björn Netz - Swedish Tenorist

[JSngry]

A friend hipped me to a 1964 album called Persepolis by the Staffan Abeleen Quintet: http://www.dustygroove.com/item.php?id=254...%3Bformat%3Dall

Good enough stuff, but the tenorist on there was a cat named Björn Netz, and he really caught my ear. Sort of a fusion/common ground/missing link between Getz, Yusef Lateef, and Booker Ervin, if you can imagine that.

Google turns up next to nothing, so what, if anything, does anybody here know about this guy?

As always, thanks in advance!

[Big Beat Steve]

If it's of any help to you, according to Nicolausson's discography he also recorded with Staffan Abeleen in 1961 + 62 (Sonet), 1965 (for RCA), 1966 (Philips) and 1974 (Odeon), but left no other discographical trace.

Will see if I come across any mention of him in my ORKESTER JOURNALEN and ESTRAD mag collection (which runs up to 1963 only so it will have to be about his early days, though).

Edited January 25, 2008 by Big Beat Steve

[Big Beat Steve]

Addendum:

Björn Netz must have made an impression in his own country early on. In ORKESTER JOURNALEN’s annual Scandinavian jazz poll he finished third in the Tenor sax ranking in both 1962 and 1963, in both cases behind Bernt Rosengren and Bjarne Nerem but ahead of more established and basically more renowned names such as Carl-Henrik Norin, Erik Nordström, Hacke Björksten, Mikkel Flagstad, etc., Quite an achievement at this relatively early stage of his career, considering by that time his only recorded evidence had been two EP’s with Staffan Abeléens group.

[JSngry]

Interesting!

[JSngry]

Does this mean anything to you?

When one still have a memory, Lets give it a Go. I am going to make a cavalcade of Stockholms Cultural "bastards" and former friends and playmates from the 60's and 70's to start with:

Ann Zacharias, Joen Lagerberg, Bo Nilsson, Jan & Ulla Hannerz, Lars Hillersberg, Ludvig Rasmusson, Mats Berge,

Bernt Rosengren, Oyvind Fahlstrom, Pontus Hulten, Goran Ostergren, Abbe Johansson, Ake Abrahamsson, Ulf Rahmberg, Lars Weck, Bror Wikstrom, Roland Palsson, Allan Vajda, Olle Granath, Peter Gullers, Olle & Kerstin Wikman,Lena Larsson, Rune Jonsson, Lisa & Bjorn Netz, Michael Sallberg/Harvey, Sven Hoglund/deMoner, Karin Lindegren, Korduner, Peggy Ekman/von Schwerin, Stig Karlsson, Dr. Emerud, Alexandra,Conny bassisten, Prophet Jennings, Cornelius, Bo Karlsson galleristen, Bruno Wintzell, Monica Bernadotte/Bonde, Charles Chaplin, PerBonde,Janne Karlsson, Bosse Hansson and Igor Stravinsky, Bengt Göransson and many many more.

I have pictures of all of you - I just need some time........ Don't be ashamed, the time was good.

http://megamemory.homestead.com/

[JSngry]

If it's of any help to you, according to Nicolausson's discography he also recorded with Staffan Abeleen in 1961 + 62 (Sonet), 1965 (for RCA), 1966 (Philips) and 1974 (Odeon), but left no other discographical trace.

Again w/Abeleen:

LARS FÄRNLÖF: HEUREKA

PHONO SUECIA, PSCD 117(CD)

(P)©2001 STIM/SVENSK MUSIK, SWEDEN

RECORDED: AUG.31, SEP.1, 1970, MAY 24, 1973

RELEASED: 2001, SWEDEN

All songs compositions by Lars Färnlöf

Executive Producer: Jan Kling

"HEUREKA" is:

Recorded by SVT at Cirkus, Stockholm on August 31 and September 1, 1970

Televised on December 30, 1970; Recording Engineer: Gert Avelin

Producer: Peter Berggren

"SVIT CAÇHASA" is:

Recorded at Estrad in Södertälje on May 24, 1973 by Sveriges Radio P2

Lars Bagge, vocal/conductor

Recording Engineer: Göte Nilsson; Recording Producer: Bosse Broberg

Previoisly issued on RELP 1152, p1973

Cover Photo: Ole Winding; Graphic Design: Ermalm's Egenart

Lars Färnlöf drawing by Berndt Pettersson

After the first performance of HEUREKA in Västerås 1969

Red Mitchell, Lars Färnlöf, Rune Carlsson och Bobo Stenson

CREDITS (musicians) :

"HEUREKA" Plays :

Lars Färnlöf : flugelhorn

Bobo Stenson : piano

Red Mitchell : double bass

Rune Carlsson : drums

The Swedish Radio Symphony Or. : symphony orchestra

Leif Segerstam : conductor

THE STAFFAN ABELEEN QUINTET :

Lars Färnlöf : cornet, flugelhorn

Björn Netz : tenor saxophone

Staffan Abeleen : piano

Fredrik Norén : drums

Red Mitchell : double bass

THE SWEDISH RADIO JAZZ GROUP :

Bosse Broberg : trumpet

Bertil Lövgren : trumpet

Jan Allan : trumpet

Håkan Nyquist : french horn

Lars Olofsson : trombone

Sven Larsson : bass trombone, tuba

Bertil Färnlöf : oboe, cor anglais

Arne Domnérus : alto saxophone

Claes Rosendahl : tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute

Lennart Åberg : soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute

Erik Nilsson : baritone saxophone

Bengt Hallberg : piano

Rune Gustafsson : guitar

Stefan Brolund : electric bass

Egil Johansen : drums

Jan Bandel : congas

TRACKS (total time 60:01) :

1. HEUREKA (1969) (23:43)

Lars Färnlöf, flugelhorn; Bobo Stenson, piano; Red Mitchell, double bass

Rune Carlsson, drums; The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra;

Leif Segerstam, conductor

SVIT CAÇHASA (1973)

The Staffan Abeleen Quintet; The Swedish Radio Jazz Group

2. SVIT CAÇHASA: Mörkret ler (11:10)

solos: Bengt Hallberg, piano; Claes Rosendahl, alto flute; Rune Gustafsson, guitar

Lennart Åberg, flute; Erik Nilsson, baritone saxophone; Staffan Abeleen, piano

3. SVIT CAÇHASA: La Bergerie I (4:02)

solos: Bengt Hallberg, piano; Rune Gustafsson, guitar

4. SVIT CAÇHASA: La Bergerie II (2:07)

solo: Björn Netz, tenor saxophone

5. SVIT CAÇHASA: Caçhasa (7:25)

solos: Lennart Åberg, soprano saxophone; Red Mitchell, double bass

Fredrik Norén, drums; Jan Bandel, congas; Egil Johansen, drums

Bengt Hallberg, piano

6. SVIT CAÇHASA: Delta Queen (11:25)

solos: Rune Gustafsson, 12-string guitar; Lars Färnlöf, cornet

Lars Olofsson, trombone; Björn Netz, tenor saxophone; Bengt Hallberg, piano

2617

[Big Beat Steve]

Indeed ...

This session is listed in the discography accessible under www.visarkiv.se (under Lars Färnlöf's name)

but as it apparently was not released on record until a LONG time after the recording at the time Nicolausson compiled his discography it had not yet seen the light of day so was not listed.

But though Swedish jazz is one of my particular collecting interests it is rather the jazz from earlier deaces (pre-mid-60s) so I am no expert on later developments at all - sorry ...

But where are all the Swedes around here? Nobody among them interested extensively in the jazz from their own country?

[skarvas]

A friend hipped me to a 1964 album called Persepolis by the Staffan Abeleen Quintet: http://www.dustygroove.com/item.php?id=254...%3Bformat%3Dall

Good enough stuff, but the tenorist on there was a cat named Björn Netz, and he really caught my ear. Sort of a fusion/common ground/missing link between Getz, Yusef Lateef, and Booker Ervin, if you can imagine that.

Google turns up next to nothing, so what, if anything, does anybody here know about this guy?

As always, thanks in advance!

[clifford_thornton]

Not gotten around to those Abeleen LPs yet, though I've seen them offered. Thanks for the tip.

[skarvas]

I used to play with Bjorn Netz in 1956-58 but then we split as he moved to Staffan Abbelin and Faernloef. When I now listen to Persepolis recorded in 1961 and listen to Bjorn I can only regret that he did not continue his career as jazz musician. When listening now he is way ahead and was a mix Coltrane/Rollins. He was so outstanding!! I have a CD where the best of the quintettes production is assembled during the period 1961-66. The CD is produced 1963 on Dragon Records DRCD 242 AAD. A fantastic record.

Netz was also bachelor of psychology and ass professor of psychology and made in sience in the use of LSD at the military University and came in on a lost track. Last I read abouth him he was in yale, I dont even know if he is alive. He also played with the world famous Swedish vocalist Monika Zetterlund.

Bengan

[clifford_thornton]

Wow, thanks for the story/info, and welcome to the board!

[Dave James]

Bengan,

Yes, welcome to the board. Hopefully you'll be a frequent poster. Sounds like you might have some interesting stories to share. Due the efforts of another Organissimo board member by the name of Victor Christensen, a resident of Denmark, I have gotten pretty seriously into Scandanavian jazz. As a matter of fact, I was pleased to see that my collection includes the Staffan Abeleen/Lars Farnlof Dragon you mentioned in your post. I shall listen to it shortly.

[brownie]

There is an entry (in swedish) on Wikipedia on him. He seems to be having a very interesting career outside of the jazz world.

Two of his appearances on albums are included in volume 9 of the excellent series 'Svensk Jazzhistoria' that came out on Caprice.

Will listen to this later today!

[Niko]

this looks like a more recent trace... (what does it say? looks like trouble but my swedish is almost non-existent and google translate isn't quite up to the task)

http://blogs.myspace.com/popochstropp

Januar 31, 2009

Jazzsons...

Sara sjungs av Carina och spelas av Adam, Adam önskar att sälja mycket av den musik som han spelar och vill ha rejält betalt då han har genomgått mångåriga studier vid musikskola.

Vi ber producenter att sluta vända sig hit i kommersiella syften eftersom Joachim Hafergut har varit vår producent. Vi är självsörjande och har sålt egna CD på våra privata releasepartyn. Pop och stropps hemsida på my space kommer fortsättningsvis att ta in och vända sig till friends. Vi har slutat samarbeta med varandra, det är enbart Carina, Hans Peter och Björn som har kontakt nu. Björn efterlyser nu "VÅRA SÖNER" i Sverige för en idé om ett projekt. Du ska vara man, jazzmusiker och son till en musiker, är du intresserad av att vara med så skriv till Björn Netz, Fridhemmet, Fridhemsgatan 58 i Stockholm. Vänd dig inte dit om du inte är son till en musiker för då har du ingen chans till samarbete. (Carina är naturligtvis inte med i det.

Om en vecka loggas några teaterbilder in här av Carina. Carina har en idé om att man måste visa upp olika miner när man spelar teater. Fotograferna har varit olika för privat bruk.

30 juli-2007. Idag har en video loggats in till låten: "Här är mitt cosmos". Det är komedi och humor i det och det är filmat i vår studio. Carina Borg sjunger och har skrivit musiken. Joachim Hafergut spelar keyboard och har producerat musiken. Joakim Selin har gjort videon.

28 augusti-2007. Idag har en ny video loggats in till låten: "Fredspsalm". Björn Netz (tidigare partner till Monica Zetterlund) spelar orgel i en egen melodi. Carina Borg spelar upp poppad Chaplin i videon. Joachim Hafergut har filmat och producerat videon.

18 september-2007. Idag har en ny video loggats in. Carina menar i sin melodi med text vad ett break ifrån kärlek kan vara. Joachim Hafergut står för mix och produktion av "ragtime tired".

[Big Beat Steve]

No trouble, really. It's just a summary of a private project they are planning, focusing on "Our Sons" and looking for (testimonials by?) men, jazz musicians and sons of jazz musicians. And the main text dated 2009 calls for interested (and qualified) persons to make themselves known.

But yes, there is a note saying they do not wish to be bothered by commercial producers anymore as they do have their own producer and otherwise are self-sufficient.

Thats the gist of it; sorry, translating it all would be a bit much and pointless for casual onlookers anyway.

[Niko]

No trouble, really. It's just a summary of a private project they are planning, focusing on "Our Sons" and looking for (testimonials by?) men, jazz musicians and sons of jazz musicians. And the main text dated 2009 calls for interested (and qualified) persons to make themselves known.

But yes, there is a note saying they do not wish to be bothered by commercial producers anymore as they do have their own producer and otherwise are self-sufficient.

Thats the gist of it; sorry, translating it all would be a bit much and pointless for casual onlookers anyway.

ah, thanks (that's all the translation i wanted...); and if Fridhemmet is as peaceful as i imagine it to be, i hope it's only Netz's work place ...

[Big Beat Steve]

Just found this full-page feature on Björn Netz in the September, 1961 issue of the long-defunct Swedish jazz mag ESTRAD (a copy I recently was able to add to my collection):

The caption reads:

Björn Netz is one of the most promising forces in young Swedish jazz and has even won international acclaim.

Sorry, translating the entire article would really be a bit too much (and the finer points of it would probably strain the limits of my knowledge of that language) but interestingly the title of the article is:

PSYCHOLOGIST ON TENOR

Signs of things to come, I wonder?

[Niko]

PSYCHOLOGIST ON TENOR

Signs of things to come, I wonder?

netz had his first paper i could find in the scandinavian journal of psychology published in 1963 and a steady stream of papers through the sixties - so i guess he must at least have been a pretty advanced student in 1961?

http://www.lycaeum.org/research/researchpdfs/1240.pdf

[Daniel A]

Unfortunately, Björn Netz passed away last year.

[Daniel A]

As a sad addendum to this thread, I'll post a link to a short bio for Björn Netz (in Swedish) on Swedish jazz journal Orkesterjournalen's site:

http://www.orkesterjournalen.com/jazzbiografier/2683-netz-bjoern-tenorsaxofonist-floejtist-med-mera

In short, it says that he was doing research for the Military Psychological Institute during the mid 60s, studying the effects of LSD. Apparently he performed experimental studies on himself (and also on fellow jazz musicians). Eventually, he succumbed to the side effects of the drug, which put an end to a brilliant research carrer, and he subsequently spent a large part of his life in jail. As a consequence, his musical activities were phased out and had more or less ceased completely by the mid 70s.

The Staffan Abeleen albums 'Persepolis' (1964) and 'Downstream' (1966), on which Netz plays, are both available on Spotify. Both albums are well worth hearing, and at least the latter has never been reissued on CD (although it was remastered for the Spotify release).

Edited September 8, 2014 by Daniel A

[Niko]

Thank you! there is also a brief clip of Netz in Antibes 1961 at the INA website

[Daniel A]

Thank you! there is also a brief clip of Netz in Antibes 1961 at the INA website

Fascinating! I never knew there was footage of Netz. Interesting that the band is billed as Netz's group. The diminutive trumpeter is Lars Färnlöf, who wrote the tune ("Pia") as well as all but one of the tunes on the Abeleen albums mentioned above.

Thanks for posting that.

[clifford_thornton]

Färnlöf is an excellent player. He's on a bunch of strong Swedish dates.

[Big Beat Steve]

Thank you! there is also a brief clip of Netz in Antibes 1961 at the INA website

Fascinating! I never knew there was footage of Netz. Interesting that the band is billed as Netz's group. The diminutive trumpeter is Lars Färnlöf, who wrote the tune ("Pia") as well as all but one of the tunes on the Abeleen albums mentioned above.

Thanks for posting that.

The French JAZZ HOT magazine covered the festival in Antibes-Juan les Pins in their September 1961 issue (no. 168) and they mentioned Björn Netz as the leader of that group too. According to the mag, they did a "cold" show which yet was said to be fully in the Blakey-Silver tradition. Björn Netz, in particular, was mentioned for his cool tenor sound, and Färnlöf was lauded as the best solist.

The German JAZZ PODIUM mag covered the festival in their Sept. 1961 too and found the Björn Netz quintet to be somewhat pale, though talented and showing good conception, but lacking in maturity and assuredness required to convey their ideas in a really convincing manner.

(Just quoting ... )

At any rate, clearly it was Netz' group.

[Daniel A]

Thanks, Steve! Does any of the magazines list any tunes from the group's appearance? I'm curious if they were mostly Färnlöf's compositions. I couldn't identify the players in the rhythm section, so any information regarding them would also be appreciated.