Tolvan Big Band is one of the world's big expressive with a wide international reputation. Since 1979, its musical leader Helge Albin, saxophonist, composer, arranger, with his enthusiasm, energy and creativity, able to build up an ensemble with a flexible and innovative approach to different musical situations. The success the band experienced, manifested clearly by the recordings and especially live concerts Tolvan done. sometimes with different guest artists.
Tolvan Big Band has toured all over Scandinavia, Germany, Poland, Baltic States, France, Switzerland, Australia and South America.

Below is a list of some of the highlights of the band's activities beginning in 1983.

1983 :______________________________________________

At Jazzfestival Kristianstad in southern Sweden appeared band with trumpetplayer Dizzy Gillespie, which on this occasion commented:
"This is the best bigband, I played with since 1947!". A week later the band played at the jazz festival in Montreaux, Switzerland. The concert was recorded, and some of the music released on LP: n: Tolvan Big Band-Montreaux & More "and was released on Dragon Records. The disc received the prestigious prize" Golden Disc ", founded by the jazz magazine Orkesterjournalen" for best jazz disc that year. Another prominent festival that year was held in Vienne, France. Swedish Television recorded in conjunction in a documentary on Tolvan Big Band.

1985 :______________________________________________

This years cooperated TBB with the American composer and saxophonist David Liebman. He toured with the band and the Swedish Television recorded a concert in Malmö Concerthouse. David Liebman was so enthusiastic that he returned to Sweden a few months later to participate in LP: n - "David Liebman & Tolvan Big Band-Guided Dreams", published in Dragon Records.

1989 :______________________________________________

Michael Brecker, considered by many as the world's best modern saxophonist, a guest band and just like David Liebman, is his impression Tolvan overwhelming. He says: "A band like this is not even to be found
in New York!" In the journal "Media for Musicians" he says: "" This is an extremely rare bigband. Compositions and arrangements are made in such a imaginative way, that they will have the whole band and all the soloists to lift. " "Really imaginative .." While he toured with the band and the Swedish television recorded one of the concerts.

1990 :______________________________________________

The suite was commissioned by Swedish Radio and Helge Albin wrote the suite "Colors". What also was recorded on the disc of PhonoSuecia Records. The advanced composition and playing techniques contributed further to establish Tolvan as a band in the world. And Helge Albin as a composer and arranger.
The production was also nominated for a Swedish jazz Grammy Award.

1991 :______________________________________________

The English composer and arranger Mike Westbrook visited with his wife
Kate Westbrook Sweden and Tolvan for a tour. The music was composed by music from Rossini's operas, arranged by Mike Westbrook.

1995 :______________________________________________

A nearly unique event took place this year. Helge Albin got Sydsvenska Dagbladet Europe Price. Including motivation, "his sacrifices to make Tolvan Big Band for a European concept of significance." This price had previously been exclusively distributed to politicians and scientists. One of these was the former Prime Minister Carl Bildt. LP: n "The Touch" was recorded this year. Which also became a jazz Grammy nominated.

1997 :_________________________________________

The band makes the disc, "Tolvan Big Band Plays the Music of Helge Albin" and is published in the prestigious company Naxos.

The Disc is nominated in the USA "- best contemporary bigband in 1997." Other nominees: Count Basie and Bill Holman.

1999 :______________________________________________

Tolvan Big Band is nominated for U.S. AFIM Award!

Tolvan and Malmö Symphony Orchestra
Helge first performance of Alan's suite, "Thetris". The order works in five sets, for big and symphony orchestra.

2003 :______________________________________________

Tolvan CD "A Walk In The Center Point" released in late February 2003, at the Swedish company Prophone. The music is composed and arranged by Helge Albin and Tolvan soprano and tenor saxophonist, Cennet Jönsson.

REVIEWS:

The New CD: ”Code Red” recieved splendid reviews. Read them below.

Swedish Worldclass Big Band

Tolvan Big Band: Code Red (Prophone)

On the other side of the Sound in Malmö has for many years been one of Scandinavia's best big band; Tolvan Big Band and will once again emphasize it on the current CD: ”Code Red”. The band is a power house bigband set of percussion at the beginning. Tolvan has since'79 led by saxophonist and composer Helge Albin. He has also written three of the 7 compositions on trhe CD. The other 4 is composed by Cennet Jönsson (sax) and Jacob Karlzon (piano) They are also members of the 18-man Tolvanen Big Band, which includes players as Vincent Nilsson and Ola Åkerman (trombone) and Lennart Gruvstedt (drums).
If you love the DR Big Band from the period with Thad Jones and Bob Brookmeyer and we need a new fresh record, ”Code Red” is more than desirable. Cennet Jönsson’s ”Cats and Dogs” is a gem, and even with some humor.

Code Red
Tolvan Big Band | Prophone Records (2007)

By Edward Blanco

From the coastal town of Malmo, Sweden, the eighteen-piece Tolvan Big Band has developed into one of the finest contemporary jazz orchestras in the world. Led by saxophonist and composer Helge Albin since 1979, the band entered Sun Studios in Copenhagen on April 22nd of 2007 and emerged with Code Red, a powerhouse recording of seven original big band arrangements in the finest tradition of the genre.

Leader Albin contributes three compositions, including the muscular opening piece and title track that charges out of the gate with pulsating energy. Saxophonist Cennet Jonsson provides another three charts, and pianist Jacob Karlzon pens the intricate finale,
Ups And Downs, featuring his play on the keys.

Jonssons Cats And Dogs, is a challenging number characterized by several mood changes and highlighted by Vincent Nilssons gentle trombone. only to be eclipsed by Albins alto solo. Contributing another outstanding score with The Other Day, Jonsson is featured blowing a wicked soprano.

Theres no monkey business on the assertive Going Bananas as the horns come alive, with the trumpets and the bones providing the meat. The versatile Jonsson plays bass clarinet on the attractive, soft ballad Subconscious C, and saves his best for last with the twelve-minute Antelope Dance, easily the groups signature tune and defining moment. This one moves to a terrific rhythm, with several choruses featuring Peter Asplunds flugelhorn and Inge Peterssons scorching tenor.

Those who continue to preach the eventual demise of big band music havent had the pleasure of sampling Swedish jazz, and the music from the Tolvan Big Band. With excellent charts, and arrangements that demand the most from an outstanding woodwind section, Code Red delivers a powerful musical statement and signals a clear green light from this listener.

Track listing: Code Red; Cats and Dogs; The Other Day; Going Bananas; Subconscious C; Antelope Dance;
Ups and Downs.

Personnel: Helge Albin: alto saxophone, flute, musical director; Inge Petersson: tenor saxophone; Ulf Holmstrom: alto saxophone, alto flute; Cennet Jonsson: soprano and tenor saxophones, bass clarinet; Bernt Sjunnesson: baritone saxophone, flute; Anders G. Gustafsson: trumpet, flugelhorn; Christer Gustafsson: trumpet, flugelhorn; Roy Wall: trumpet, flugelhorn; Fredrik Davidsson: trumpet, flugelhorn; Peter Asplund: trumpet, flugelhorn; Vincent Nilsson: trombone; Olle Tull: trombone; Ola Akererman: trombone; Ola Nordqvist: trombone; Bjorn Hangsel: trombone; Jacob Karlzon: piano; Patrik Albin: bass; Lennart Gruvstedt: drums.

Style: Big Band
Published: November 25, 2007