OHOJ is a young Swedish, Malmö-based jazz trio – alto sax player Jon Mellerby, double bass player Olle Lannér Risenfors and drummer Hampus Petersson, who first began to play together in 2017 and continued to play during the summers n the streets or at various bars of Malmö. OHOJ Says Hello is the debut album of the trio. The nine pieces were written by the trio who boasts an unabridged focus on musicality and interplay,  down-to-earth feeling and democratic yet intimate dynamics.

Listening to OHOJ Says Hello, it is this trio is a well-educated and well-rehearsed unit, that already established its sound and its personality. Mellerby articulates the melodies in a warm, confident voice and enjoys the tight, percolating rhythm section of Risenfors and Petersson, which has enough room to explore these catchy themes with solo parts. The interplay is organic and the music flows naturally. Just listen to the engaging homage to the trio’s hometown «Malmö».

The trio hosts a few guests. Fellow Malmö-based guitarist Sebastian Persson adds fiery sparks to two pieces and his tasteful solos that correspond beautifully with Mellerby’s themes. Danish pianist-composer Kathrine Windfeld plays on two pieces, the gentle and emotional ballad «Lazy Luke» and the playful Monk-ish «A Bit Like Monk», and adds her brilliant touch. Another Malmö-based musician, alto sax player Hannes Bennich (who plays in Kathrine Windfeld Sextet) joins OHOJ for one piece and finds immediate common language with Mellerby and OHOJ’s caressing rhythm section.

Eyal Hareuveni

Jon Mellerby (alto saxophone), Olle Lannér Risenfors (double bass), Hampus Petersson (drums), Sebastian Persson (guitar), Kathrine Windfeld (piano), Hannes Bennich (alto saxophone, soprano saxophone)