reviews

”Euopean jazz, Nordic flair, sometimes a touch of classical music, clearly defined forms with opportunities for free development and anything but a session - yes, attending this concert was truly worthwhile”

//Donaukurier, 2025 (translated from German)

“Karin Hammar has long been a well-established international name as a musician and composer and with Strings attached she shows Champions League class. “

/LIRA MAGAZINE (TRANSLATED FROM SWEDISH)

“The Swedish trombonist Karin Hammar and her formation Fab 4 have released the new album “Circles”. In addition to the previous colleagues Niklas Fernqvist on bass and Fredrik Rundqvist on drums, guitarist Andreas Hourdakis (great on "Four Women") is on board for the first time. From his personal point of view, his tasty playing is a win for the quartet. The modern jazz of Sweden lives from the clear melodies of the band leader, the well-rehearsed rhythm group and the reserved virtuoso guitar playing. This fits together in terms of sound and music and leaves space for excursions in Bossa, Salsa or great ballads such as "Chose your own issues". The tone of the Swedish trombonist is open and warm, her playing technique beyond any doubt. All titles have a life of their own and the only cover version on the album (Nina Simon's "Four Woman") breathes new life into the Karin Hammar Fab 4.” / FL

  • HiFI Stars 18.11.2018 (Review translated from German

”…and soon it becomes clear that Hammar has a penchant and a talent forfine, almost floating melodies, broad harmonies with long arches and ingenious arrangements, an unerring eye for a piece as a whole with all the little details that give it uniqueness, and a feeling for solo contributions and their optimal placement in the right place.”

//Donaukurier, 2025 (CONCERT REVIEW translated from German)

“Swedish trombonist and bandleader Karin Hammar boasts an extensive résumé. She spent several years playing alongside her sister, trombonist Mimi Hammar, in The Sliding Hammars, a band that paid tribute to J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding. She also was part of trumpeter Hildegunn Öiseth’s world-music group, spent time in several big bands and recorded and toured with various pop singers. Although she started playing classical music, the improvisational freedom Hammar discovered in jazz led her to pursue a unique path, and her wide-ranging interests are evident on Circles. There’s a hint of bossa nova in the rhythm of the title track, as she opens by stating the melody with melancholy phrasing. Drummer Fredrik Rundqvist supports her exchanges with guitarist Andreas Hourdakis with sparkling work on his ride cymbal and hi-hat. “Bossa For Ella” showcases bassist Niklas Fernqvist, who supplies a laid-back Brazilian pulse to complement Hammar’s tranquil ornamentations. And when the band covers Nina Simone’s “Four Women,” a challenging rumination on sex and race in America, it maintains the tune’s subtle Latin feel, emphasizing the song’s celebratory aspect with quiet improvisations that lead to an expansive conclusion.” //Down Beat Magazine, US.

“For the third album with her Karin Hammar Fab 4, the lyrically accomplished trombonist Karin Hammar adds a string quartet and the Parisian elegant Olivier Ker Ourio on harmonica. After two strong albums with a winning concept, Hammar broadens her horizons and, as usual, gets it right. The album Strings attached carries a range of different moods where the addition of the string quartet lifts Hammar's compositions further and Ker Ourio takes the soloist's range to another level. The combo fits right in the opening song Dreaming in G where Hammar's dreamy tin is interpolated by Ourio's velvety harmonica. Then it doesn't matter that the other quartet members, guitarist Andreas Hourdakis, bassist Niklas Fernqvist and drummer Fredrik Rundqvist, are top notch.”

//Swedish music magazine lira (translated from Swedish)

“In the end, this is a very beautiful album, harmonious, well-written, well-performed, and quite classic in its modernity (certainly not innovative, some detractors might argue), a truly uplifting record.”

Jazz Mania 2023 (translated from french)

“The Swedish jazz trombonist, Karin Hammar, has long been a poorly kept secret in her homeland. And this despite the fact that she has released eight albums under her own name to date; and this despite the fact that she has played with a number of big Swedish names – in jazz as well as pop and rock.

But let it be said right away – Karin Hammar is a very convincing composer and instrumentalist. And the project that is now her primary one – Fab4 – is simply excellent. Karin Hammar, guitarist Andreas Hourdakis, bassist Niklas Fernqvist and drummer Fredrik Rundqvist simply form an organic quartet that makes the music grow. And since Karin Hammar has made it a habit to enter into musical collaborations with prominent jazz names, there is a constant basis for surprises.

On Fab4’s new (second) album, Opening, she has entered into a collaboration with the Italian piano legend, Rita Marcotulli, and out of that has come a truly attractive, innovative and modern jazz album. Marcotulli, who has toured with Pat Metheny, Billy Cobham and Chet Baker, among others, adds a fascinating sharp edge to the tonal language that is already so tight, straightforward and organic. The fact that Hammar's own trombone colors all the ornaments in the music is just a joy. Listen to tracks like Apart and The Key, for example, and you will understand what I mean. Hammar's color scale is impressive. And the aforementioned compositions are magnetic.”

/IVan ROD, Danish jazz blogger (translated from danish)