WINDOW

Window – An eye towards the world outside or inside. A transparent membrane for protection or reflection. Glass – fragile and tough, resistant and glimmering delicately, sharp and…

Window – Open or closed, you can look out. Open or closed you can, look in. You can even jump, travel through it – out or in / in or out – a choice that can change or end your life.

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People, places, coincidences, contexts, chances, situations, opportunities or anything else can be or be this window that turns your life around. We have all encountered a multitude of such on the path of life.

Here are a few early – openers.

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Sven-Erik Pilquist – I was probably 10-11 years old when I got to buy my first drum with money I had saved myself. The origin of this was a friend of the family named Sven-Erik Pilquist and my own never-ending drumming with all possible and impossible implements and utensils in the kitchen at home. Classic!!! The family spent a weekend visiting Sven-Erik’s brother. The brother’s son was not at home but had a snare drum in his room which attracted me like a magnet. Joy. I was in a state of bliss. I played and played. After a while Sven-Erik came in and listened. Somewhat kindly, he asked me to bring the drum and play for the adults – ”The boy has rhythm in his blood. Of course the boy should have a snare drum” – there the final seed was sown. A used snare drum was purchased fairly soon after. An English ”Premier – Royal Ace Red Sparkle”. Over time the addition of the bass drum and hi-hat followed. The rest is history as they say….

Newman Alexander – was a trumpeter who worked for a while as a teacher at Skellefteå Music School. He also played with the nationally known show and dance band Yngve Forssélls Orkester. Newman was a powerful breath of fresh air from the outside world for a budding young musician like me. I was astonished by him I remember my jaw dropping when I once saw him try out the trumpets at Hagström’s Musik and he started doing circular breathing(!). That you could do such a thing at all with an instrument opened up worlds for me that are still not closed. After a year or so in Skellefteå, Newman returned to Tobago where he was later murdered by robbers in his home in 2001(!).

Opus – in the early 70s a new record store was opened in Skellefteå by two young sisters. They had worked at record companies and record stores in Stockholm and had knowledge and contacts. They were cool. A new era for buying record and music exploration opened up. All the latest records could be found there and anything that was not in store was quickly ordered. Often with delivery the following week. Fantastic!!! In the record sleeve for The Mothers of Invention – ”Freak Out” there many challenges for a Norrland teenager to read and an exciting list of many people who had inspired Frank Zappa’s that I could now slowly start exploring with the help of Opus. Not everything was immediately available at that time. It was slower and took time. Before the internet and computers, these physical meetings and places were very important and sometimes also the only opportunity for new impressions and openings. That – the meeting itself – still cannot be beaten – clearly, obviously, of course, and happily!!!

Nils Eriksson – legendary principal of Skellefteå Music School. Active as an alto saxophonist during the 50s & 60s. Among other things, he was a member of Åke Jönsson’s Orchestra from Härnösand. For many years it was named “Norrland’s best jazz orchestra” according to polls and competitions. He was a very inspiring and exciting person for a young teenager interested in jazz. Nisse obviously saw something in me. He supported me in many ways. Early on and for many years I had my own key (!) to the music school’s various premises. I was also allowed to store my tuba and drums there. We didn’t have much space at home. The tuba and drums had probably not been appreciated by the neighbours. Nisse understood that. Thanks to a key of my own, I was able to play and practice as much as I wanted when the premises were not occupied and during all holidays. Unbelievable!!! Thanks Nisse.

Interrail – which started in the summer of 1972, opening up the possibility of travel for us young people in Europe. Even for us from the backwaters of northern Sweden. A ”train window” to the world. My first Moers Festival became accessible in reality, not just in thought and imagination. The year was 1977 – Yamashita Trio, Anthony Braxton Quintet, AIR, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Sam Rivers Trio, Dollar Brand, Willem Breuker Kollektief and more … – and I was there!!! It was blown away, in mind and body. My whole young being was impregnated by this amazing flow of music, impressions and people like myself. This still affects me. It changed me for life. The window was wide open. Talk about a strong cross-draft…!!!

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Window – A disparate and lossely jumbled mix. High and low. Like life.

Per-Åke Holmlander