The Contemporary Jazz Quintet

Not to be confused with the U.S. group of the same name, this Contemporary Jazz Quintet has its roots in Denmark. As the Contemporary Jazz Quartet -- trumpet player Hugh Steinmetz, alto sax man Franz Beckerlee, bassist Steffen Andersen, and a revolving cast of drummers, including Sunny Murray on one date -- they performed regularly and recorded an album in 1964. The addition of one player, Niels Harrit, changed their sound drastically, largely due to his choice of instrument, the musical saw. Harrit played organ and tenor sax with the group as well, but the saw was the most distinctive sound he brought to the Quintet. The Quintet released its most adventurous document, TCJQ, in 1968 on the Danish Debut label. It featured early experiments with amplified instruments and was issued on CD by Steeplechase in 2001 as part of a double CD titled Action credited to the Contemporary Jazz Quartet. That collection should not be confused with Actions 1966-67, a previously unreleased album of sessions recorded in 1966 and 1967 that was issued in 2005 by Atavistic as part of the Unheard Music Series.
© Wade Kergan /TiVo