Joy and Sorrow

Is this the line between folk and spiritual song? Between hymn to Christ's bride and the earthly love song? The border is not straight and clear, but on both sides lies a treasure of music and lyrics that we must have to stay alive - in our day and future , as an inheritance . . . Leif Strand and the musicians on this record, offer a kind of continuation of the sorrow and the joy.

Leif Strand Chamber Choir began in 1965; the first concert together with jazz musicians was held at Hönsten 1967 with, among others, Jan Johansson, Arne Domnérus, Rune Gustafsson, Georg Riedel. Since the choir - in connection with Arne Domnérus sextet - made a couple hundred concerts, numerous radio and television appearances and five published LPs.

On this album, the Leif Stand Choir from Sweden join with Jazz greats Georg Riedel, Arne Domnérus, Egil Johansen and Bengt Hallberg - best known for their work on the classic Jazz At The Pawnshop. Joy and Sorrow features the choir and musicians performing traditional, chorale and spiritual music.