Thursday, April 14, 2016

Henning Sieverts - Vibes & Strings (2016)




An exciting Live CD with my new quartet from the famous Munich jazz club „Unterfahrt“: with New York vibraphonist Tim Collins, Australian guitarist Peter O´Mara and Matthias Gmelin on drums. This cd was released as part of a new series in collaboration with „Enja Records“ and it´s a big honour to be the opening group for the "Edition Unterfahrt"!

"Henning Sieverts: Vibes & Strings" springs to life through the appealing combination of crystaline vibraphone and warm strings. The compositions are mostly groovy with a striking beauty arising from this unique instrumentation.

Henning Sieverts (Kontrabass, Komposition) - double bass, compositions
Tim Collins (Vibraphon) - vibes
Peter O´Mara (Gitarre) - guitar
Matthias Gmelin (Schlagzeug) - drums

01. All and More
02. One for Q
03. Memories of C.J.
04. Grosser Urwald
05. Light at Night
06. Come Rain or Come Shine
07. In Dependance? Independ-Dance!
08. Forward
09. Baumruine Rainhardswald
10. Kabodaschdr
11. The Right Decision

Der international renommierte Münchner Bassist, Cellist und Komponist Henning Sieverts hat ein neues Quartett zusammengestellt mit dem New Yorker Weltklasse-Vibraphonisten Tim Collins und dem australischen Meistergitarristen Peter O`Mara. Hinzu kommt das feinfühlige Schlagzeug von Matthias Gmelin.

Das Quartett spielte vom 26.bis 30.August 2014 eine Sommerwoche im „Jazzclub Unterfahrt“, drei Abende wurden vom Toningenieur Florian H. Oestreicher („Realistic Sound“) mitgeschnitten und vom „Klangmagier“ Christoph Stickel (MSM Studios) gemastert. Ihnen ist es optimal gelungen, die packende Live-Atmosphäre mit einem begeistert mitgehenden Publikum einzufangen. Die Höhepunkte dieser drei Konzerte sind nun auf CD nachzuleben.

Die 11 Kompositionen von Sieverts folgen auf der CD der selben Reihenfolge (und Dramaturgie) wie bei den Konzerten.

Die CD "Henning Sieverts: Vibes & Strings“ ist bei „Enja Records“ erschienen, in der „Edition Unterfahrt“- eine neue CD-Reihe, die der Jazzclub produziert – es eine besondere Ehre, diese „Edition Unterfahrt“ eröffnen zu dürfen.

„Henning Sieverts: Vibes & Strings“ lebt von der reizvollen Klangkombination aus gläsernem Vibraphon und warmer Gitarre. Dabei stehen groovige zupackende Stücke im Mittelpunkt, die durch diese ungewöhnliche Instrumentierung eine aparte Schönheit entwickeln.


Pressestimmen:

Der Musikjournalist Oliver Hochkäppel (Süddeutsche Zeitung) äußert sich begeistert über „Henning Sieverts: Vibes & Strings“. Er schreibt:

"Das Quartett demonstrierte wieder spektakulär Sieverts`Kunst, auf intellektuelle Weise zu sinnlichen Melodien zu kommen und dann zu stets spannendem, rhythmisch verzinkten Hochglanzjazz auszuformen.

Schon über den Opener „All and More“ legte sich die ganze Jazzgeschichte wie ein wärmender Mantel. Das Helmut Qualtinger gewidmete Stück „One for Q“ wurde gleich zum rollenden Alpen-Blues. Wie einige andere ist es vertonte Malerei, einem Konzert zum Jubiläum des Kallmann-Museums in Ismaning entstammend.
Von den Porträts und Urwald-Gemälden Hans-Jürgen Kallmanns inspiriert, frönte Sieverts wieder seinem Faible, Geburts- und Sterbedaten sowie Namenslettern in Musiknoten umzuwandeln. Als buchstäblich wohlklingendster Name erwies sich Ernst Bloch, umgesetzt in einem zum Weinen schönen Duett von O`Mara und Collins.

Jeweils passend zum Thema konnte die – im übrigen in der Jazzgeschichte ziemlich einmalige – Besetzung mit Bass, Gitarre, Vibraphon und Drums Sieverts´Gedankenspiele fast zärtlich inszenieren, es aber auch ordentlich krachen lassen.“

Henning Sieverts ist mit mehr als 120 CD-Veröffentlichungen und zahlreichen Preisen (u.a. ECHO Jazz, Bayerischer Staatspreis, Neuer Deutscher Jazzpreis) einer der meistbeschäftigten Jazzbassisten und -cellisten Europas. Er unterrichtet darüber hinaus an der Musikhochschule München und arbeitet als Jazz-Moderator beim Bayerischen Rundfunk.

Tim Collins stammt aus New York und lebt seit einigen Jahren in München. „A world-class vibes player“ (CJSR-FM Radio), „Musician of fire“ (Washington Post), „Nothing less than exemplary“ (Downbeat) – das sind nur einige Lobeshymnen über den virtuosen Vibraphonisten.

Peter O`Mara stammt aus Sydney, Australien und lebt über 20 Jahren in München. Er spielte mit Größen wie Joe Lovano, Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Charlie Mariano und Bob Mintzer. O`Mara war langjähriges Mitglied bei Klaus Doldingers „Passport“ und hat zahlreiche Lehrwerke für Jazzgitarre geschrieben, die längst zur Standardliteratur gehören.

Der mehrfach preisgekrönte Schlagzeuger Matthias Gmelin („Jugend Jazzt“ in Bayern und Bundeswettbewerb) ist wegen seines einfühlsamen, geschmackvollen Spiels einer der gefragtesten Drummer der Szene. Er spielte mit Bireli Lagrene, John Ruocco, Ack van Rooyen, Johannes Enders oder Judy Niemack.

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Kenziek - The Last Bow (2016)



Oh man, where do I even begin? I guess for amateur musicians, making a record is always the dream but being in college and having a million other things to do, it often seems to be an impossible task. The struggle is real.

This project really started in the summer of 2015. I woke up one morning and realizing all of us would be graduating in a year. Although we would probably stay friends, it would be difficult to see each other again after college; playing music together is almost out of the question. It just seemed wrong to not put in any effort to draw a conclusion. I immediately started writing and arranging (with pencil and paper, it’s still the best way), a few hours every night, until the end of summer. After I finished the last song, I realized, man, this could happen.

Having the music ready isn’t even half of the battle. I hit walls after walls looking for musicians, rehearsal space, recording studios, budget and scheduling rehearsal times and logistics. Everyone came back to school early for three days of intensive rehearsals. Man, we must have played over 10 hours a day. Music was the only thing that was going on in our heads and for these few days, music was the only thing that mattered in the world. I didn’t know who was going to be on this album until two days before the recording. Step by step, The Last Bow was complete.

It has been my philosophy that musicians are messengers and our mission is to spread music, the magic, happiness and love it brings to as many as people as we can. The Last bow is our first and perhaps last record; either way it’s our last bow to college and all of you that helped us along the way. Rain Zhou (2016)



1. … And Foremost (01:17)
Composed by Marshall Mucasey
Soloist: Marshall Mucasey (bass)

2. New Beginnings (06:58)
Composed by Marshall Mucasey and Rain Zhou; arranged by Rain Zhou
Soloist: Alec Staples (tenor sax)

3. Missing the Blues (05:53)
Composed by Marshall Mucasey and Rain Zhou; arranged by Rain Zhou
Soloists: Alec Staples (tenor sax), Ian Montague (guitar), Marshall Mucasey (bass), Rain Zhou (organ)

4. Not So Josh (08:45)
Composed by Rain Zhou and Josh Rollin; arranged by Rain Zhou
Soloists: Jaden Gladstone (tenor sax), Matt Venora (trumpet), Rain Zhou (talkbox), Skyler Gray (drums)

5. Ask Your Friends (05:16)
Composed and arranged by Rain Zhou
Soloist: Ian Montague (guitar)

6. Weiser Wiser (05:03)
Composed by Rain Zhou; arranged by Nick Weiser
Soloists: Alec Staples (tenor sax), Matt Venora (trumpet), Ian Montague (guitar), Rain Zhou (piano)

7. Moment of Silence (09:25)
Composed and arranged by Rain Zhou
Soloists: Marshall Mucasey (bass), Ian Montague (guitar), Jaden Gladstone (tenor sax), Alec Staples (tenor sax), Matt Venora (trumpet)

8. Golden Thing (07:51)
Composed and arranged by Rain Zhou and Josh Rollin
Soloists: Matt Venora (trumpet), Rain Zhou (talkbox), Jaden Gladstone (tenor sax), Alec Staples (tenor sax)
———————————————————————————
Personnel

Rain Zhou Keyboards & Talkbox
Marshall Mucasey Electric Bass
Ian Montague Electric Guitar
Skyler Gray Drums
Jaden Gladstone Tenor Sax
Alec Staples Tenor Sax
Matt Venora Trumpet
Nate Schickler Trumpet

Recorded by Will Russell @ Electric Wilburland in New field, NY
Edited and Mixed by Will Russell
Mastered by Will Russell
Photographed by Connor Archard
Produced by Rain Zhou
———————————————————————————
Thank yous
We’d like to thank our families and friends for supporting us, 3unit, Alan Rose, Roddy Russell Jr., and Karim Hutton for musical support, Geoffrey Keating for supporting the project, Josh Rollin for playing with us and shaping our sound in the beginning, Cornell Thumpty for the rehearsal space, Sam Lupowitz for directing us to Electric Wilburland, Will Russell for making our first recording as smooth as possible, Cornell JAM for fostering the beginning of this band, Snarky Puppy for being the true inspiration, and all of our mentors who’ve led us to this point.

And we’d like to thank all of our Kickstarter backers for making this project possible in the first place (in alphabetical order): Aaron Fink, Alan Rose, Anonymous, Arash, BMITW & the Trail Boss, Camille and William Prip, Cari and Jack Brandt, Connor Daly, Elle dawg, Evan Mucasey, Geoffrey Keating, Gregg Sheena, John Lowry, Lucy Metz, Luke Moll, Marina Howarth, Michael Gray, Michelle & Mario Argentina, Mitch Levy, Mitchell Tiras, Nick Ruggiero, Noreena Lau, Paul Giannelis, Peter Ericksen, Sabria & Kevin Lewis, Sal Qadir, Sam Saloff-Coste, Sarah Baldessari, Stefan Peierls, Yao Li & Angie Ding, Ying Yuan, 周一鸣, 周成杰&李雪梅, 李晋, 李慧民.

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Steve Einerson - Arrival (2012)


Source & Label: Cellar Live
GAB'S RATING: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆  


Steve Einerson is on his way to becoming one of the greatest pianists in the history of jazz. I said it. I mean it.
The evidence is all here, on this CD, his first as a leader. Back when Bud Powell and Art Tatum roamed the earth, it was easier for a jazz pianist to innovate.
All a player had to think about were a few other innovators–or even just one–who’d come before.  And then, assimilate them, and go beyond them.
The music was that young. It’s older, now.
So if you are Steve Einerson, age 38 in 2011, you have a lot more to think about, a lot more seeds within yourself to harvest.
“I think, for me,” says Einerson, “it all starts with Bud Powell. If you really want to learn to speak the language of bop, you have to get with Bud…



1. Nikki's Joy
2. Cookin' At The Colonels
3. I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
4. Here's To You Mrs. Anderson
5. Like A Blues
6. With Love And Squalor
7. Your Song
8. That Sunday, That Summer
9. Fleeting Moments

STEVE EINERSON piano
PAUL GILL bass
PETE VAN NOSTRAND drums
 






 

Satoshi Inoue & Kiyoshi Kitagawa - Second Round (2016)


Label: Indie Japan


2002年、ニューヨーク アップタウンにあるスモークにおける伝説のライヴ作品「Live At Smoke」から12年、ジャズを追求してきた二人が再会、さらに熟成を重ねた二人が描く究極のデュオ世界をじっくり味わえる前作を凌ぐ傑作が生まれた。
ベースの北川潔は現在、ケニー バロントリオを始めニューヨークで活躍しているトップミュージシャンとの共演も多く、世界各国を飛び回る程多忙なミュージシャンの一人である。
一方の井上智はニューヨークで、ジャズギターの巨匠ジム ホールの愛弟子として21年間活躍し数多くの足跡を残し帰国し国内外で精力的に活動。
この二人が再び日本で相見え、音楽性よく歌うギターと重厚な音色で力強くスイングするベース,白熱したインタープレイを展開しジャズギターとアコースティックベースのデュオ作品に新たなページが加える。
収録曲もマニアックなものではなく魅力溢れるジャズ・スタンダードの名曲が勢揃いでジャズファンにはたまらない作品に仕上がっています。



01 The Surrey With The Fringe On Top           
02 Equinox           
03 You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To           
04 I'm In The Mood For Love           
05 Ask Me Now           
06 Soul Eyes           
07 Freight Trane           
08 All The Things You Are           
09 Peace             
10 The Everywhere Calypso 


Satoshi Inoue - guitar
Kiyoshi Kitagawa - double bass






 

Trialogo Jazz Quartet - Horizontes & Perspectivas (2016)


Label: Self Released
Source: Cdbaby


Contemporary Jazz Quartet: A journey to new Horizons and Perspectives.
Trialogo Jazz Quartet born in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2013 as an exploration to bright and dark sonorities.

Every one of us is at the same time the composer and the performer, taking the improvisation to a very intimate personal process.


1. Más Allá
2. Dista un Pensamiento
3. Prueba de Fe
4. Lux G
5. Esperanza de un Sueño
6. Holograma
7. Mazunte
8. Horizonte en Calma
9. Raíces de Neptuno

Gil Rios (bass)
Chuko Soto (sax)
Jorge Verdin (keyboard)
Angel Madrigal (drums) 
 






 

Michel Petrucciani - Both Worlds: Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival (2016)


Label: Dreyfus Jazz


Michel Petrucciani was born on December 28, 1962 in Orange, Vaucluse, France and passed away on January 6, 1999 in New York City.
Michel Petrucciani was born to Italian parents in Montpellier, France. His family was musical, and as a child he played the drums in a band with his father, Tony, a guitarist, and his brother Louis, a bassist. Michel was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as “glass bones,” a disease that stunted his growth (he was only three feet tall and weighed barely 50 pounds) and weakened his bones.
From the beginning, Petrucciani had always been musical, reportedly humming Wes Montgomery solos by the time he learned to speak. The musician that would prove most influential to Petrucciani was Bill Evans, who he began listening to at around the age of ten. Petrucciani’s layered harmonies, lyrical style, and articulation of melody have always been linked most strongly to this early exposure to Evans. Petrucciani trained in classical piano starting at the age of four, and was making music with his family by the age of nine.
When Michel was thirteen, he gave his first concert as a professional at the Cliousclat Festival. He had to be carried onto the stage, and used a special attachment to work the sustaining pedal of the piano.  This disadvantage didn’t affect his hands, however, and, according to reports, he played with amazing vigor and enthusiasm.   Also performing at the festival was the American trumpeter Clark Terry, who needed a pianist that day. When Michel offered him his services, Clark thought it was a joke. “‘Let’s play the Blues,’ he said. The minute Michel played, Clark embraced him, and that was where it all started.
After his stint in Paris, Petrucciani returned to his family only for a brief visit. He began his professional life living with the drummer Aldo Romano. Petrucciani began recording with Owl Records and began a friendship with the recording company’s owner, Jean-Jacques Pussai. Pussai recalls that Petrucciani always seemed to be in a hurry to record, saying, “I don’t want to lose time.” But eventually Petrucciani desired independence from Romano too. Romano remembers: “He didn’t feel free with me. He needed to escape. He needed to go very far, as far as he could go, and that was California.” Read more...



1. 35 Seconds Of Music And More
2. Brazilian Like
3. Training
4. Colors
5. Chloé Meets Gershwin
6. Chimes
7. Take The "A" Train
8. Home (Live With TheHague Philharmonic) Bonus
9. Trilogy In Blois (Live With The Hague Philharmonic) Bonus


Michel Petrucciani
Anthony Jackson
Steve Gadd
Flavio Boltro
Stefano Di Battista
Denis Leloup