Karin Hammer’s Fab4 Set To Release New Album in April

With three critically acclaimed albums under their belt, Swedish trombonist Karin Hammar’s Fab4 boasts international recognition from publications including Downbeat Magazine, over 50 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify, and over 10 million streams to date. Their upcoming record ‘Opening’, featuring Rita Macotulli,  is set to release on April 14th.

Karin Hammar is one of Sweden’s most in-demand freelance trombonists; she has been a bandleader for over 25 years, has co-led ‘The Sliding Hammers’ with her fellow trombonist and sister Mimmi Hammar, and has worked with international household names including Gary Burton and Maria Schneider.

Rita Marcotulli has been an important name of European jazz for over four decades, touring with giants including Pat Metheny, Chet Baker, Kenny Wheeler, and Billy Cobham and winning several awards and prizes in the field of film music scoring.

After having combined the Fab4 with several different guests over the past few years, Hammar felt the timing was right to invite a pianist into the quartet’s world. Being a long-time fan of Marcotulli, Hammar asked her to collaborate. The quintet came together in Stockholm in April 2022 and recorded a collection of nine new songs together.

With a contemplative ECM-esque tone, the record boasts emotive, balladic passages of soaring melody and high-energy, virtuosic musicianship in equal measure. Marcotulli’s seamless integration into the established quartet opens the door to a greater world of intricacy, harmony, and interplay, as the roles of soloist and accompanist flutter frequently between instruments.

Hammar’s voice as a seasoned composer and effortlessly technical trombonist are in the spotlight, with thoughtful quintet arrangements shifting focus to different areas of the ensemble to create striking changes in mood and texture.

2023 promises to be a great year for the Fab4, with a particular highlight including their headline performance at Jazz Baltica festival in Germany.

Karin Hammar – Trombone, Bass Trombone, Composition | Rita Marcotulli – Piano |
Andreas Hourdakis – Guitar | Niklas Fernqvist – Bass | Fredrik Rundqvist – Drums, Percussion

Track Listing 

1. Hook
2. Apart
3. The Key
4. Rest in Peace (and stay alive)
5. 13
6. Nadar com tartarugas
7. Moset/The Cleanse
8. Prayer

Source: Arlette Hovinga/JazzFuel

Photos: Olaf Malzahn