European Encounter

by John Lewis / Svend Asmussen

From the Vaults of Atlantic Records (series)

Originally released on Atlantic (1392).

Personnel: John Lewis (piano); John Lewis; John Richard Lewis (piano); Jimmy Woode (double bass); Svend Asmussen (violin); Sture Kallin (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Elliott Federman.

Liner Note Authors: Dan Morgenstern; Gary Kramer.

Recording information: Como Studio, Stockholm, Sweden (07/02/1962/07/03/1962).

Photographers: David Gahr; Bengt H. Malmqvist.

Violinist Svend Asmussen (who has had too few of his albums through the decades available in the U.S.) teams up with pianist John Lewis, bassist Jimmy Woode and drummer Sture Kalin on this 1962 session from Stockholm, Sweden. Most notable is the repertoire: six Lewis originals (including "Django") and Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman." Asmussen fits in well with Lewis and brings a solid sense of swing to the somewhat complex music. This date was reissued in 1986 as part of Atlantic's Jazzlore series. ~ Scott Yanow