STEFAN PASBORG TRIO feat. Carsten Dahl & Fredrik Lundin “Tribute to Alex Riel” @ DMA Jazz 2024

STEFAN PASBORG TRIO feat. Carsten Dahl & Fredrik Lundin.
“Tribute to Alex Riel” at Danish Music Awards Jazz 2024, Store Vega in Copenhagen, Denmark.
December 9th 2024.

1) INTRO (Riel / Pasborg) Pasborg used samples from Riel's first ever recorded drumsolo from 1966 as a part of this improvised intro.

2) SMILE (Chaplin) was one of Alex’ favourite compositions.

3) IDAHO (Stone) This tune meant something very special to Alex, as it reminded him of himself as a little boy, playing with his first drumsticks to 78 records on his father's scooter helmet.

When Alex Riel passed away earlier this year, at the age of 83, Denmark became one of its greatest drummers poorer. He left his mark on the international jazz scene from the drum chair behind countless legends from Ben Webster to Astrud Gilberto and on the domestic music landscape with Savage Rose.
Riel was known for his joy in playing, his vitality and for never consolidating in a particular style or period.

At DMA Jazz 2024, Alex Riel was honored by one of Denmarks other great drummers, Riel's godson Stefan Pasborg and his trio, which also includes Carsten Dahl and Fredrik Lundin.
Pasborg has combined a role as both bandleader and sideman in ever-changing jazz constellations with among others the band Ibrahim Electric. The current trio is a true supergroup consisting of three legendary Danish musicians.

"Alex was and is my mentor, my first and greatest drum-hero and my best friend for almost 50 years. It gives me great pleasure to make a tribute to Alex – 100% in his spirit – in connection with DMA Jazz together with my trio with Carsten Dahl and Fredrik Lundin, who are also two musicians who have had Alex very close to their lives for many years." - Stefan Pasborg.