Sunset in Guitarland

Gothenburg guitarist Rolf Jardemark's new album Sunset in Guitarland offers rich West Coast Jazz, nine original compositions, produced in the spirit of Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton and George Benson.

Just in time for his 50th birthday, and after an impressive quarter-century on the professional scene, he returns to the sound that marked his debut Soft Landing (1989).

During the 90’s and 00’s most of Jardemark creative energy was dedicated to exploring the jazz heritage. His breakthrough album Guitarland (1994) caused the Swedish TV program Jazz duel to dub him successor to Rune Gustafsson – godfather of Swedish jazz guitar since the 1950’s.

Produced by fellow guitarist Peter Friestedt, Sunset in Guitarland features some of the most iconic studio legends in Los Angeles. Michael Ruff and Bill Cantos offer outstanding vocal and keyboard performances.

Behind the drums we find John JR Robinson – considered one of the world's most recorded drummers and immortalized for his contributions to Michael Jackson's Bad and Off the Wall – and Ralph Humphrey, who has played with everybody from Frank Zappa to Wayne Shorter.

– I saw Ralph with Zappa at the Concert Hall in Gothenburg at the age of 14. He was fantastic on both Over-Nite Sensation and Apostrophe, when Zappa was in the gap between hard rock and jazz, Rolf says.

How was it to play with all these outstanding musicians?

– It was amazing. I didn’t have to explain anything. They had an amazing feeling for that classic West Coast Sound. JR was cool. He served coffee from a machine he had received from David Foster as a Christmas present.

Two of the songs include vocals from Michael Ruff and Bill Cantos. What is your connection to them?

– Michael Ruff and I met when we toured Scandinavia 1987-88. Even back then he said: "When will you come to LA?". And now it was time. It feels great to work together again. I discovered Bill Cantos when he played with Jay Graydon in the 90’s.

What's the thing with Westcoast Jazz?

– I have always liked the combination of RnB, soul and swing, mixed with the possibilities of jazz improvisation and playfulness.

What distinguishes Sunset in Guitarland from your previous albums?

– I have had a more profound focus on the songwriting this time. In the past I have recorded jazz albums in just a few days. This is a project of love that has taken several years to complete.

Sunset in Guitarland is produced by Peter Friestedt. Recorded between 2006-2010 in Los Angeles, Hawaii, Brazil and Sweden.

The album is released by Zink Music.