“Echoes” is the name of the latest project by the Swedish Fire! Orchestra led by saxophonist and composer Mats Gustafsson, which was released as a triple LP in 2023, exactly ten years after the first release “Exit!”. It consists of a single two-hour piece that is divided into seven movements and seven interludes and includes improvisation, electronics and elements of new music. Gustafsson, bass guitarist Johan Berthling and the original drummer Andreas Werliin expanded their collective trio Fire! back in 2011 to form a 28-piece orchestra of free improvisers for a complex experimental work of sound art, for “Echoes” even to 43 members. The core trio is now coming to Cologne with drummer and singer David Sandström, trumpeter Mats Äleklint, violinist Anna Lindal and keyboardist Alexander Zethson. For this performance of Gustafsson’s suite, the orchestra will be joined by musicians from Cologne – including trumpeters Pascal Klewer and Frederik Köster, Matthias Muche on trombone, saxophonists Christina Fuchs and Julian Fossert as well as Victor Fox, saxophone and clarinet, and cellist and improvisation musician Emily Wittbrodt.
Mats Gustafsson – sax/cond
Mats Äleklint – trp
Anna Lindal – viol
Alexander Zethson – key
Johan Berthling – b
David Sandström – dr/voc
Pascal Klewer – trp
Frederik Köster – trp
Matthias Muche – trb
Christina Fuchs – sax
Julian Bossert – sax
Victor Fox – sax/cl
Emily Wittbrodt – cel
tbc – viol