The Bass in the Background: A Great Selection 1962-1992

by Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen

Overview

The death of bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen in 2005 when he was one month shy of his 59th birthday was completely unexpected. One of the great bassists to emerge during the '60s, Pedersen could take lightning-fast solos, keeping up with Oscar Peterson during their romps, and yet was a perfect accompanist. He will perhaps be best remembered for his association with Peterson in the '70s and '80s, and for his work in the '60s when he was often part of a rhythm section that accompanied American greats while they made European tours. This sampler of Pedersen's recordings as a sideman for the Danish Storyville label has ten selections from 1962-1968, three from 1972-1978, and one apiece from 1986 and 1992. Pedersen is heard with a who's who of remarkable jazz soloists including Bud Powell (in 1962 when the bassist was just 15), Johnny Griffin, Stuff Smith, Kenny Drew, Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Coleman Hawkins, Teddy Wilson, Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, and Zoot Sims, along with such Europeans as Bent Jaedig, Svend Asmussen, Stephane Grappelli, Tubby Hayes, and Palle Mikkelborg. The music is primarily straight-ahead and there are some fine solos by Pedersen although the emphasis is more on his playing with groups. The Bass in the Background is a well-conceived set that should whet listeners' appetites to hear many more recordings by this brilliant bassist. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	06/01/2005
Label:	STORYVILLE RECORDS
UPC:	0717101840021

Tracks

1. Bouncing with Bud
2. Wee Dot
3. Wait a Second
4. Parisian Thoroughfare
5. Skip It
6. Swingin' Till the Girls Come Home
7. Cottontail
8. Soy Califa
9. Sweet Georgia Brown
10. You're Blas¿¿
11. Rhythm-A-Ning
12. Kary's Trance
13. Morning Fun
14. Imagine
15. You Don't Know What Love Is

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen   Primary Artist,Bass
Svend Asmussen   Vocals
Kenneth Knudsen   Keyboards
William Schiopffe   Drums
Ed Thigpen   Drums
Warne Marsh   Sax (Tenor)
Dexter Gordon   Sax (Tenor)
Johnny Griffin   Sax (Tenor)
Lee Konitz   Sax (Alto)
Svend-Erik Norregaard   Drums
Alvin Queen   Drums
Tete Montoliu   Piano
Bent Jadig   Sax (Tenor)
Staffan Abeleen   Piano
Stuff Smith   Vocals
Tubby Hayes   Sax (Tenor)
Ben Webster   Sax (Tenor)
Coleman Hawkins   Sax (Tenor)
Bjarne Rostvold   Drums
Stephane Grappelli   Vocals
Palle Mikkelborg   Trumpet
Bud Powell   Piano
Ole Kock Hansen   Piano
Alex Riel   Drums
Albert "Tootie" Heath   Drums

Technical Credits

Tete Montoliu   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Don Raye   Composer
Gene Paul   Composer
Dexter Gordon   Composer
Maceo Pinkard   Composer
Lee Konitz   Composer
John Lennon   Composer
Thorbjorn Sjogren   Liner Notes
Jan Persson   Photography
Bruce Sievier   Composer
Stuff Smith   Composer
Oscar Pettiford   Composer
Ben Bernie   Composer
Anders Stefansen   Compilation Producer
Bud Powell   Composer
Thelonious Monk   Composer