Leo "The Lion" Mathisen (10 October 1906 – 16
December 1969) was a Danish jazz pianist, composer, arranger, singer and
bandleader. He was a leading figure of the thriving Danish scene during the
years around World War II—a period which has been labelled the Golden Age of
Danish Jazz—and he is considered to be one of most significant and original
jazz musicians of his day.
His nickname is a reference to his first name as well as MGM's mascot Leo
the Lion. He is also remembered for his characteristic appearance with his
flat, centrally parted hair, his thin moustache and, most notably, his fondness
of large cigars.
Leo Mathisen was born in Copenhagen in 1906. He worked in
a record shop, listened to records and tried to copy the virtuous piano play
that he heard. After completing a merchant education, he started working
professionally as a pianist in restaurant Arena and with Kai Ewans' band in
Restaurant Adlen. The same year he also recorded his first album, The More We
Are Together, in collaboration with Victor Cornelius. From 1927 to 1928 he was
also part of a trio with Otto Lington and Anker Skjoldborg.
From 1928 through 1931 he performed with Adrian Rollini's
orchestra and with Max Lefkos' band in Germany and Sweden. In 1936 Mathisen
formed his own band and until 1952 he led various acclaimed orchestras which
performed in restaurants in Copenhagen and toured in Scandinavia after the end
of World War II also in Germany. They also served as backup bands for various
popular singers.
Mathisen recorded numerous albums with his band, often
with his own compositions. His main source of inspiration was Fats Waller, both
in his piano play and in his singing, and particularly his recordings from 1941
to 1943 are considered to be among the swing music's finest. His most famous
songs are Take it Easy and To be or not to be. With larger orchestras he
recorded tracks like Long Shadows which is a typical example of his original
arrangements.
Mathisen also recorded popular hits of his time such as
Lionel Hampton's Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop, Five Minutes More, Near You and Makin'
Whoopee. With Erik Parkerm he also created Danish lyrics to songs such as De 24
Røvere that Fats Waller recorded in 1941 and Jack McVea’s The Key's In The
Mailbox.
Among the members of his band were Erik Parker, Henry Hagemann and John Steffensen while the trumpeter Jørgen Ry joined the ensemble in the years after the war. During the war, a time which has been labelled as the Golden Age of Danish Jazz, he reached huge popularity, particularly at the München establishment where he performed regularly for several years during the Occupation of Denmark. When he was forbidden to perform in English, he resorted to Scat singing with a destinctive Copenhagen-English sound.
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For “Leo Mathisen 1944 – 48” go here:
http://www82.zippyshare.com/v/I1A9lmXl/file.html
1. Take The "A" Train
2. Eps
3. I Don't Want To Walk Without You
4. De 24 Røvere
5. Londonderry Air
6. Birth Of The Blues
7. So Sad, So Bllue
8. Liza
9. A Lover's Lullaby
10. All Of Me
11. Bugle Call Rag
12. Midnigh In Munich
13. Copenhagen Blues
14. Sentimental Journey
15. Jive At Volga
16. Slow Motion
17. Meet The Duke
18. L.M. Blues
19. Hey-Ba-Ba-Re-Bop
20. Five Minutes More
21. Tke Key's In The Mailbox
22. Makin Whoopee
23. Near You
24. Painted Rhythm
This CD contains the 24 titles Leo Mathisen recorded for the label TONO from September 1944 till April 1948. There are recordings with big band and smaller groups. Leo Mathisen was a fantastic arranger and has arranged all titles. There are 8 compositions by Leo Mathisen i.e.: Copenhagen Blues, Midnight and Eps. Leo also recorded popular hits of that time: Lionel Hampton’s Hey-Ba-Ba-Re-Bop, Five Minutes More, Near Yo and Makin’ Whoopee, He has also together with Erik Parker composed the Danish lyrics to: De 24 Røvere that Fats Waller recorded in 1941. The same with Jack McVea’s: The Key's In The Mailbox.
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