A DIVA FROM DENMARK

The internationally-acclaimed, Danish-native Katrine Madsen will bring a touch of Scandinavian jazz flavor with her when she makes her first appearance in Phuket at the Beach Club at Katathani Phuket Beach Resort on July 1.

Denmark’s Katrine Madsen has been recording delicately-crafted romantic jazz for just over a decade and has toured extensively throughout the world. She will be performing an exclusive concert at the Katathani Hotel’s Beach Club on July 1, but before that, Katrine took time out from her busy schedule to answer some questions about her latest album, Supernatural Love, and her expectations for this, her first tour of Thailand.

MKatrine Madsen, the Danish singer whose vocal style is often compared to that of Diana Krall and Shirley Horn, will be showcasing her vocal expressiveness and interpretive powers at the Beach Club at the Katathani Phuket Beach Resort, following her Thailand debut in Bangkok.

She is on tour to promote her latest album, Supernatural Love, and is backed by the Django d’Or prize-winning Jesper Bodilsen Trio.

How are you doing and what have you been up to recently?

I’m doing just fine and I have been busy for the past few months performing in Denmark, Sweden, England and the US. So What Films has been documenting the concerts throughout the tour and the footage that they capture will result in a live DVD to be released in July. The DVD will feature a live concert and bonus material including interviews, behind the scenes happenings and more.

How would you describe your style of jazz?

First and foremost, it is vocal jazz that includes songs I have written and interpretations of songs that I’ve selected from different musical genres such as jazz, Latin, pop and so on. I arrange the cover songs so they reflect the soft, melodic and intimate sound that I enjoy the most.

Your new album is comprised mostly of cover versions. Who chooses the songs and which is your favorite?

All of the songs are chosen by myself. While I cherish all of the selections on Supernatural Love, my favorite would be “Can’t Buy Me Love”, written by The Beatles.

How do you approach a new interpretation of the classic songs you cover?

The lyrics are very important. I try not to listen to other versions or interpretations of the song before I have crafted my own. That makes it easier for me to find my own way into the song. It is also very important to make a new arrangement that gives the song a fresh new life which inspires both myself and the band to improvise.

Tell us about the three songs you wrote. What are they about and what was your inspiration?

The song “Supernatural Love” is a duet that was co-written by Caecilie Norby. I wrote the music and then I gave the directions for the lyrics. The song is constructed as a conversation between two women who talk about their relationships with their respective husbands.

The unusual thing about it is that both women are happily married, which brings warmth to the song. The twist is that their female friends always complain about their relationships and they don’t understand how other couples can be so happy.

The song “August Roses” is about being in the middle of your life and discovering that life is only lived once. The four seasons reflect the seasons of a lifetime. Spring is childhood and youth, summer is adult and family life, autumn is the maturity and wisdom you have obtained through a long life and winter is the ending of life.

“Witness” is a song I wrote to my son Anton and it describes the gratitude of giving birth and being a witness to his life.

Do you feel there is a difference between singing your own songs and the cover versions?

No, for me there is no difference between the two. I put forth all my energy for both styles.

What goes through your head when you are performing?

I give 100% concentration on the music and on being in the present moment.

Who are your idols?

The pianist Bill Evans, the vocalist/trumpet player Chet Baker and the vocalist Shirley Horn are among my all-time favorites.

Some critics have compared you with Billie Holiday. How does that make you feel?

Billie Holiday was the first great jazz vocalist and everyone who sings jazz stands on the foundation she built. Critics often like to compare and I have been compared to other vocalists like Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, Diane Krall and Shirley Horn.

In my opinion, these vocalists possess quite different styles. Perhaps I am a mix of these various styles and fall somewhere in between.

What are you feelings about performing in Phuket?

I am thrilled! I have frequently toured in Asia but this is my first time in Thailand. Hitman, a Bangkok-based record label, is behind everything and they are doing a wonderful job. I expect it is going to be a great experience.

What can we expect the from the performance?

I look forward to presenting both my music and my stellar musicians to the Thai audience.

My backing band is the Jesper Bodilsen Trio which consists of Bodilsen on upright bass, Stefano Bollani on piano and Morten Lund on drums. Together we will take you on a musical journey.

What songs will you be performing?

I will be showcasing songs from my two latest albums, Supernatural Love and Close To You, in addition to some new material we have written. “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “August Roses” will definitely be performed at the concert.

Do you have a message that you wish to share with your audience?

Hello to all my fans in Thailand from both myself and my band.

We are excited and looking forward to performing in Thailand and experiencing your culture for the first time.

Let’s enjoy the company of each other and make the event an unforgettable one.

Tickets for the concert, if they have not sold out by the time this is published, may be bought for 1,000 baht from the offices of the Phuket Gazette or from the Katathani Hotel.