Magnus Lindgren & John Beasley – Butterfly Effect (ACT, 2024)
Magnus Lindgren & John Beasley present a captivating recording in Butterfly Effect (ACT, 2024), mirroring the eclectic fusion of their diverse backgrounds. Swedish saxophonist Magnus Lindgren’s repertoire draws from the rich European classical traditions, while embracing the improvisational spirit of jazz and the emotive and modern essence of soul and pop. In contrast, American musician, John Beasley infuses the album with a potent blend of creativity developed through collaborations with luminaries like Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Dianne Reeves, as well as his prolific contributions to film and television soundtracks.
This collaboration serves as a departure from their previous ventures with large ensembles, offering a distilled essence of their music. Butterfly Effect encapsulates the spontaneity and synergy born from their musical dialogue, inviting listeners to embark on a journey where each performance unfolds with the unpredictability of a butterfly’s flight.
Drawing inspiration from chaos theory, the album explores the profound impact of seemingly insignificant events, akin to the flutter of a butterfly’s wings, resonating across vast distances. For Lindgren and Beasley, this exploration begins with the intimate setting of a duo, a canvas brimming with enchanting possibilities.
Within this intimate framework, they present eleven original compositions, alongside a reimagining of the Beatles’ pop classic “Come Together.” Lindgren and Beasley, both acclaimed arrangers in both jazz and popular music spheres, showcase their virtuosity and deep musical insight, crafting arrangements in real-time that transcend traditional boundaries.
Musicians: Magnus Lindgren flute, tenor saxophone, clarinet; John Beasley on piano.
Cover art by Manfred Bockelmann (c) 2023 o.T. by kind permission of the artist.