“what is most striking about this impressive live set is just how distinctive her own voice is, even when drawing upon a time-honored lingua franca.” - All About Jazz, January 2022 (US)

Pernille Bévort | saxophone, compositions
Morten Ankarfeldt | double bass
Espen Laub von Lillienskjold | drums

Danish saxophonist Pernille Bévort follows up her acclaimed 2021 album ‘On Fire’ with a live recording which showcases the raw power and inventiveness of her playing and composition skills. Reigniting the spirit of those 1950s and 1960s live discs by the likes of Sonny Rollins & John Coltrane, the album - ‘Live 2020-2021’ - captures the trio at Jazzhus Montmartre (Dec 5, 2020) and then Skuespilhuset’s Foyer (July 16, 2021).

Crammed with intimate and imaginative interaction, Bévort is joined by bassist Morten Ankarfeldt and drummer Espen Laub von Lillienskjold as the attentive listener hears them seize the moment, up close and personally. This is by no means a live album for the sake of it; the recording documents eight compositions which come together into one fresh and dynamic set, picking up the story where ‘On Fire’ left off.
Since graduating from the celebrated Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, Pernille Bévort has carved out a reputation as one of the most in-demand and creative improvisers in the country and a mainstay of many of the top Swedish and Danish large ensembles. It’s the relatively recent emergence of her trio Bévort 3 that has seen her receive international acclaim; a real revelation for many jazz journalists and fans outside of Scandinavia - not to mention a place as a mainstay on many of Spotify’s most popular jazz playlists. But whilst her trio thrusts her playing into the spotlight, she’s no stranger to the big stage. Her touring and recording credits take in a who’s who of modern jazz history, performing alongside players such as Randy Brecker, Tony Coe, John Scofield, Charlie Watts and Tim Hagans.

A live recording of this level during covid - with an audience no less! - is already special, but the fact that this approach leaves so little room for edits and alterations after it’s been recorded makes this collection sound all the fresher.

Patrick Spanko, SK-JAZZ (Slovakiet), 5. april 2022:
” "....the spirit of those legendary saxophone trios from the 1950s and 1960s comes to life (Sonny Rollins, Lee Konitz, Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler ...). Including a stylistic range, which is still practically inexhaustible.""....it's an exciting mix of strong melodies, juicy rhythms, changeable dynamics and imaginative solos." https://skjazz.sk/news/showNew/cd-bevort-3-live-2020-2021?

Chris Baber from Jazz Views, June 2022:
"This is free jazz that will appeal to anyone who like music; even those who think that they are afraid of the wilder edges of the genre. This is because each player seeks a balance between the improvised and the immediate, capturing and maintaining the listeners attention with a continually fresh supply of hooks to draw in the listener and a continually switch in tempo to maintain interest and enthusiasm. In all, a masterclass in how to make the most of the sax trio format."
https://archive-jv.weebly.com/beacutevort-3--live-2020-2021.html

Oct. 2021 Pernille was DMA Jazz nominated in the category Album of the Year (with the trio album 'On Fire'). And again in 2022 she and her trio were nominated in this category (with the album ‘live 2020-2021’).
Bévort 3 were also on stage performing as part of the Danish Music Awards Jazz event in Aarhus dec. 2022.
And they were awarded the grant as ‘Band of the Year’ 2022.

Bévort 3 on stage in Aarhus dec. 2022 as part of the Danish Music Awards Jazz Event.

About the trio

A lot of the great tenor players have made the trio format a classic within jazz: Sonny Rollins, Joe Lovano and Joe Henderson, just to mention a few.

It’s always a challenge to perform with no chord instrument in the line-up, since the musicians need to imply the chords in their playing and they need to communicate very careful with each other. On the other hand this very open format also gives the musicians a lot of possibilities to interpret and to change the direction in the music, together and with short notice. This makes it a very funny “playground” to work within, and it is also interesting for the listener to follow the ride.

Bévort 3 is focusing on good melodies, on vivid communication and sometimes on groovy and bluesy stuff as well. They play with energy, attentiveness and curiosity always ready to take a chance. Bévort 3 is a truly powerful, responsive and dynamic unit. The individual sounds and skills from the musicians blend together very colorful when they perform.
All three members of the trio are experienced jazz musicians with a wide range of activities on the Danish Jazz Scene and with many recordings on their respective C.V’s
They have all performed with acknowledged international jazz artist - in saxophonist Pernille Bévort’s case artists such as: Randy Brecker, Tim Hagans, Putte Wickmann and Tony Coe.

For more reviews etc. - see "press"
For more videos see 'selected videos'.

Bévort 3 on soundcloud (their first album):