Katrine Madsen sings with a down played and at the same time glowing expression and she writes songs which effortlessly mingle with well recognized works.
Her career started in 1994 where she released her first album. Since then she has been recording and touring around the world with a variety of musicians. Her has long since made her mark on the Scandinavian jazz scene as an excellent singer, composer and sovereign interpreter of the American songbook.
On the 31st of August Katrine Madsen quartet played a concert at Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen, Denmark. The music from that evening is now set to be released by Storyville Records as part of their Live at Montmartre-series. The quartet consists of Katrine Madsen (vocal), Henrik Gunde Pedersen (Piano), Jesper Bodilsen (Acoustic Bass) and Jonas Johansen (Drums).
About the album, Katrine says: “It is a joyful moment for me to release this album. For a long time now, I have wanted to make a live recording with songs from my past as well as new material. I have enjoyed so very much the collaboration with the band while working through the songs, deepening my insights into the musical expression, the melodies, harmonies, rhythm and flow of these compositions.”
The album starts with the ballad Traveler, where Pedersen sets the tone with a beautiful piano-theme on which Madsen places a warm and tender vocal. After that, the listener is treated with an equally beautiful composition, the ballad Magic Night. Another highlight is the up-tempo Song for Bill, that lets the rhythm-section shine, and sees the band include improv elements into the music. Morning Star displays the unique qualities of Madsen’s voice very well, and as a whole the album makes Katrine Madsen and her co-musicians shine. In total it stands as a perfect display of great musicians in top form, playing with heart and insight.
On the band Katrine Madsen says: “I admire and adore the musicians who I work with here, not only because of the musical wisdom they gently share with me, but also because of their willingness to play and have a lot of fun at the same time. Other precious encounters have been with the various singers involved in writing lyrics to the songs. I am very grateful to all of them.”
Katrine Madsen’s Live at Montmartre is a great and worthy addition to Storyville Records prestigious Montmarte series.
