 The name "AALY" is derived from an Art Ensemble of Chicago composition, "Lebert Aaly," which is itself a near anagram of Albert Ayler's name.Nordeson is Gustafsson's oldest playing partner, their work together dating back to shared childhood in the northern city of Umeå, while Janson joined the group rather recently.The band has also existed in a quartet version with pianist Per Henrik Wallin.The association between Gustafsson and Vandermark began in 1994, when the Swedish visited Chicago for the first of what has turned into many times.