Fire! Orchestra started out as a 28 piece ensemble in 2011, initiated by the Fire! trio of Mats Gustafsson, Johan Berthling and Andreas Werliin. Now down to a "mere" 14 members, keeping the rhythm and horn sections to their bare necessities while bringing on a string quartet to expand the canvas, this "cleanup" has worked wonders. The two exceptional and powerful singers, Mariam Wallentin and Sofia Jernberg have been members since the start and shine as brightly as ever. With "Arrival" the ensemble have upped the ante on all levels and produced a stunning new album, with five originals and achingly beautiful cover versions of Robbie Bashos´s "Blue Crystal Fire" and "At Last I Am Free" by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rogers.
”Arrival” is light and shade, joy and despair, structure and improvisation, performed by an ensemble of top notch musicians. We consider it a major piece of work, both in our catalogue as well as in Scandinavian "jazz".
released May 24, 2019
Fire! Orchestra is like a forever evolving organism. 2025 will see a new version of the band, playing the new program WORDS.
Line-up:
Sofia Jernberg (vocals);
David Sandström (vocals and drums);
Anna Lindal (violin and string arrangements);
Anna Neubert (violin);
Emily Wittbrodt (cello);
Mats Gustafsson (baritone sax, live electronics and conduction);
Mette Rasmussen (baritone and alto sax);
Anna Högberg (baritone and alto sax);
Adia Vanheerentals (tenor and soprano sax);
Mats Äleklint (trombone and horn arrangements);
Heida Karine Johannesdottir (tuba and electronics);
Susana Santos Silva (trumpet);
Lina Allemano (trumpet);
Julien Desprez (guitar and vocals);
Alexander Zethson (piano and keyboards);
Mariam Rezaei (turntables and electronics);
Johan Berthling (bass);
Mads Forsby (drums);
Maria Portugal (drums and vocals);
Mikael Werliin (sound).
Brutal heaviness, furiously fast crack, intense groove, extreme dynamics, immense beauty. (…) in a concert with Fire Orchestra, everything can be found, not infrequently all in one and the same song. (…) It is, as always, incredibly impressive. (Rasmus Klockljung, Lira)
