Jeanette Wrate and the Northern Lights Ensemble blend the melodies, rhythms and sounds of Finnish folk music with the swing and improvisation of contemporary jazz to create a unique and original music. This innovative group, led by jazz drummer Jeanette Wrate (Dizzy Gillespie, Maiden Voyage and Big World), includes violinist Jeff Gauthier, double bassist Anders Swanson, and keyboard player Craig Ochikubo.
Members
Tracks
| 1 | Entelli | 9:06 | |
| 2 | Sofia's Flykt | 7:31 | |
| 3 | The Shadow of My Tango | 6:43 | |
| 4 | Kalmari Special | 4:02 | |
| 5 | Sade | 4:53 | |
| 6 | Didjeridu and Percussion Interlude | 2:16 | |
| 7 | Kantele | 5:23 | |
| 8 | Voice, Gong, and Kantele Interlude | 3:06 | |
| 9 | Lahtovirsi (Departing Song) | 2:34 | |
| 10 | Horpsis | 6:54 | |
| 11 | Laitisen Mankeliska (Heikki's Mangle Dance) | 9:57 | |
| 12 | Evening Prayer | 7:15 |
Reviews
The title of the Jeanette Wrate Northern Lights Ensemble’s Echoes of a Northern Sky refers to the drummer’s search for her Scandinavian roots. Brilliant compositions and exquisite sound quality allow all the members of the ensemble to shine. Extended so
David Licht, Modern Drummer, 01/07/1999
Jeanette Wrate is a percussionist of Scandinavian ancestry who has performed with artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Haden and Jimmy Witherspoon. On her new recording, 'Echoes Of A Northern Sky,' Wrate combines the traditional music of Northern Europe
Jazzonline.com, 01/02/2000
Ms. Wrate is an exceptional drummer. She performs at least one marvel on each track: a simple but effective press roll and hi-hat diminution, judicious and funny cowbell accents, arch polyrhythms etc.
Jazz Times,
Wrate, who is a triple threat on voice, drums and just about everything percussive from marimba to cowbell...is a whirling dervish of rhythmic coloration. Her responsive stroking is a source of constant inventiveness.”
Michael Rosenstein, Cadence Magazine, 01/07/1999
She makes foreign dance motifs swing in a way that’s natural yet challenging to American ears, translating a seemingly esoteric folk style into the language of fin de siècle improvisation based music without sacrificing the vivaciousness of the prototype.
Kirk Silsbee, New Times LA, 01/07/1999
