Vladimir Shafranov/Hans Backenroth: The Art of the Duo
The duo plays music from the American songbook mixed with compositions written by jazz luminaries such as Cedar Walton, Tommy Flanagan, Paul Chambers, JJ Johnson, Georg Mraz and also some Brazilian music.
Vladimir Shafranov (1946) was born in Moscow. After fleeing the Soviet Union in the mid-1970s, he lived in Israel for a few years and then ended up in Helsinki, where he became one of the most active on the Finnish jazz scene. After a few years, Vladimir moved to New York, where he was active for almost 15 years and played with legends such as Al Foster, Ron Carter, George Mraz, Clifford Jordan, Sam Jones, George Coleman, etc. Vladimir has recorded over 12 albums for the Japanese market. All of the albums have become bestsellers and for 15 years Vladimir has been playing in Japan every year. Vladimir’s trio (with Hans & Moussa Fadera) recorded a new album this spring, which will be released in the fall.
For over twenty years, Vladimir has lived in Åland, where he has become a central figure in cultural life.
Hans Backenroth (b. 1966) is one of the foremost bassists in Scandinavia, with his hard-hitting playing, warm sound and lyrical solos. At the age of 20, he got Nisse Sandström as a teacher and the following year he became a member of the Fredrik Norén Band with whom he played for two years. Soon after, years later, he was a bassist with, among others, Arne Domnérus, Monica Zetterlund, Rebecka Törnqvist, Kjell Öhman, Ulf Wakenius, Claes Janson and Bernt Rosengren. Hans is the first choice for many international stars – Harry “Sweets” Edison, Clark Terry, Roger Kellaway, Scott Hamilton, Toots Thielemans, Kenny Barron, Karin Krog, Ed Thigpen, Doug Raney, Eddie Daniels and others.
He travels and tours around the world and for twenty years he has toured Japan almost every year. Over the years, Hans has participated in over 200 album recordings. In 2021, Hans Backenroth released “Parker’s Mood” which was selected by Lira magazine as the tribute of the year.
Lineup:
Vladimir Shafranov - piano, Hans Backenroth - kontrabas