REVIEW QUOTES
No matter which side of the Atlantic we meet Jens Wendelboe on, he appears as a big band composer, conductor and soloist of a very high standard. His recent business card from the United States is further proof of that.
Jens Wendelboe (65) is not the type to be stopped. We know this from his time here at home in Norway with both large and small bands, as a composer, arranger, conductor and soloist. What Wendelboe sets out to do, he does, period.
Review by
Tor Hammerø
Quote’s For A Nordic Sound-Against All Odds
Everything is balanced and, above all, composed and arranged in such a way that this music can be compared to great American productions.
jazz-fun.de
Wendelboe’s compositions show as much soul as you’d expect from someone whose R&B pedigree includes Donna Summer and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Jens Wendelboe
Against All Odds
Losen Records
2021
It’s faintly amazing to be able to talk at all about big-band recordings—plural—emerging during an ongoing pandemic with no end in sight.
All About Jazz
The Persistence Of Big Bands
BY GENO THACKARA
December 4, 2021
The result is simply a great American production for orchestral swing lovers!
Quote from a Slovakia Review
Quote’s For Fresh Heat
Fasten your seat belts. It may be 2012, but there’s still an invigorating Big Band to be heard now and then.
From Jazz Society of Oregon by Georg Fendel. Published June 2012
For those who still yearn for the Big Band days of yore, this album will satisfy your soul.
From Jazz Scan by Ric Bang. Published September 6, 2012
Space literally prohibits me from expounding further on what is for my money – one of the two best big band records made in the last decade”
By @critical Jazz. Published April 17 , 2012
Wendelboe’s superior writing skills are everywhere apparent, providing substantial and interesting musical development and strong ensemble passages throughout the program
By Don Lerman 2012
Wendelboe earned top honors in the Barga Jazz competition for his stylish arrangement of Steve Swallow’s lyrical “Falling Grace”
By Jack Bowers. Published: August 7, 2012
Wendelboe-who grew up listening to energetic sounds of the pop group Blood Sweat & Tears (of which he is now a member), Chicago, and Tower of Power- became a convert to the brassy side of music, a sensibility influencing his arrangements and producing the “snappy, fresh and hot” contemporary sounds on this burner of an album.
By Edward Blanco. Published: May 3, 2012
The Jens Wendelboe Big Band is incendiary on the album “Fresh Heat”
From Artslink.co.za by Don Albert. Published: June 27, 2012
Quote’s For Inspirations
With his numerous irons in the music business, Jens Wendelboe is also one of the most experienced in the subject of Big Bands
Dagsavisen, Helgheim. Published February 1, 2010
How can you resist a band with this nutty a name? Funny enough, the group lives up to it with high – powered energy from the start. Led by trombonist and composer Jens Wendelboe, this Big Band has serious chops, a sense of sophistication and, oh yes, big crazy energy.
Jazz Scene August 2010
Whenever Norwegian – born trombonist, composer and arranger Jens Wendelboe starts working with his Big Crazy Energy New York Band, there’s a rock – solid guarantee that it won’t be boring.
All About Jazz . By Jakob Baekgaard Published 2010
This is a cat that it’s time you got to know. On the money through out. 6******
Midwest Recording published January 26, 2010
It’s the fullness and tightness of the band and its arrangements that make this program a pleasure to hear. If you like straight – ahead modern Big Band music, this one is for you.
Grego Applegate Edwards. Published February 19, 2010
And clearly there’s a lot of talent on hand, as well, not the least of which is displayed by Wendelboe, whose work here places him among the best of modern jazz’s Big Band leaders.
Jazziz. Published April 2010
If you’re into sophisticated, Big Band jazz then I’d definitely recommend checking out “Inspirations” because it’s a winner from start to finish.
Sea of Tranquility by Ryan Sparks. Published April 27, 2010