The new album by vocalist Viktoria Tolstoy is a reflection of her very own understanding of jazz - with pieces by Swedish composers on the one hand, and of American jazz and song greats on the other. The piano seat of her new band is now, after Esbjörn Svensson and Jacob Karlzon, manned by Joel Lyssarides, a rapidly rising star of the Nordic jazz piano scene.
When Viktoria Tolstoy sings, it is her personal background, the things that have made her who she is, that resonate above all. Her choice of songs is rooted in her own experience, whether it be a deep attachment to her native country ("My Swedish Heart"), the quest for her Russian heritage – she is the great-great-granddaughter of Leo Tolstoy – ("My Russian Soul"), a desire to pay an affectionate tribute to Herbie Hancock ("Letters To Herbie"), or to interpret great film songs ("Meet Me At The Movies"). These thematic threads give Viktoria Tolstoy a way of singing songs which is hers and hers alone. And her voice has something truly special and individual too: there might be a hint of melodrama, or perhaps a certain sadness which is nonetheless underpinned with joy, or happiness, yet with an urge...
line upViktoria Tolstoy / vocals
Joel Lyssarides / piano
Krister Jonsson / guitar
Mattias Svensson / bass
Rasmus Kihlberg / drums
Recorded by Michael Dahlvid, May 29 - 30, 2019 at Nilento Studio, Gothenburg
Mixed and mastered by Lars Nilsson at Nilento Studio
Produced by Nils Landgren
Joel Lyssarides appears courtesy of Prophone / Naxos
