USA: Juli Wood Quartet - Synkka Metsa (Dark Forest) (Oa2 Records 2015)
Inspired by Art Farmer's 1964 recording of Swedish folk songs, 'To
Sweden With Love,' Chicago saxophonist Juli Wood delved into her own
Finnish heritage for material to explore on her newest recording. With
hauntingly beautiful melodies and harmonies that invite new
interpretations, Wood and her quartet - with Alejandro Urzagaste on
guitar, Clark Sommers on bass and drummer Mike Schlick - create an
inspired recording of six traditional Karelian, Finnish and Aland Island
songs along with two compositions by famed Finnish musician Matti
Jurva. 'Wood, after all, owns a big and burly tone on tenor, her husky
sound, deep rhythmic accents and prolific phrase making consistently
commanding attention. ' - Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune http://www.juliwoodsax.com
