Dominik Schürmann Trio featuring Max Ionata – Moons (April 8, 2022)

Dominik Schürmann Trio

feat. Max Ionata

Moons Ago (April 8th, 2022)

A wise man once said that it doesn’t matter where jazz goes as long as it takes the tradition with it. With Moons Ago (April 8th) Swiss bassist and bandleader Dominik Schürmann pays homage to the classic sound of 1950s & 60s jazz, through 12 original compositions.

Steeped in the hard-bop era tradition, Schürmann rounds up two fellow leading lights from the blossoming Swiss jazz scene and tops it off with renowned Italian saxophonist Max Ionata.

The repertoire itself - composed in entirety by Schürmann - may be unashamedly old school, but the delivery is fresh. A tongue-in-cheek twist on a Sinatra classic, lush ballads and a couple of latin grooves sit, of course, amongst some hard-swinging straight-ahead tunes. All new treatments, but reminiscent of the titans of yesteryear and their joyous recordings.

Bandleader Dominik himself is a longstanding regular on both the Swiss and international jazz scenes. With over 50 album credits and countless tours, he’s performed with the likes of Jorge Rossy, Hendrik Meurkens, Karl Ratzer, Luis Diego Bonilla, Oscar Klein, George Gruntz, Isla Eckinger, Vince Benedetti and many more.

On piano, Basel-based Italian Yuri Storione may be closer to the beginning of his career, but his impressive virtuosity and already-prolific output has seen him win plaudits from press and fans alike. Alongside him, the drum chair is occupied by Latvian drummer Janis Jaunalksnis; also Swiss based, the music showcases a musician both highly sensitive and deeply swinging.

Fronting the trio as special guest, Schürnmann’s choice of renowned Italian saxophonist Max Ionata is an astute addition to the group's modern-vintage blend. A veteran of the international jazz scene, Ionata emerged in the early 90s and has performed with many modern greats including Robin Eubanks, Billy Hart, Joe Locke, Mike Stern, Bob Mintzer and compatriot Stefano Di Battista.

“His sensitive playing and soft, full sound lend the compositions exactly the appropriate timbre I was looking for. He has a strong sense of tradition and has developed his own personal sound.”

Together, they balance a respect for the tradition with an obvious desire to create something new; it’s likely to strike a chord with classic jazz fans and contemporary listeners alike.

1. Butterflies (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 3:51

2. The End Of A Bug Affair (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 5:26

3. Heureka (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 5:02

4. Autumn Breath (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 4:57

5. Ramba Samba (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 4:42

6. Moons Ago (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 6:06

7. Lonely Owl (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 5:18

8. Afternoon Song (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 5:53

9. Rainy Summer (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 5:11

10. Coffee Cat (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 5:27

11. Banana Dog (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 4:39

12. Malia‘s Waltz (comp. Dominik Schürmann) 4:58

Dominik Schürmann (Bass)

Max Ionata (Tenor Saxophone)

Yuri Storione (Piano)

Jãnis Jaunalksnis (Drums)

Recording date: 14th/15th November 2021

Recording place: Hammer Studio Basel/Switzerland

Online Editor/Distributor: Mons Records (www.monsrecords.de)

Sound Engineer: Hannes Kumke

Dominik Schürmann Website

Max Ionata - Rewind (2016)

Source & Label:

Genre: Modern Jazz/Hammond

GAB's RATING: ★★★★☆

Italian saxophonist Max Ionata, among the leading players in the contemporary jazz scene and one of the most demanded worldwide, will be releasing his thirteenth album “rewind” in May; his fourth recording produced by Jando Music | Via Veneto Jazz.  

With “rewind” Max Ionata marks a turning point and repositions himself at the head of an entirely different formation: a Hammond trio. The group features an exceptional array of talents, comprised of master musicians of international stature with whom he established a remarkable synergy during the numerous concerts in the past few years; namely the organist Alberto Gurrisi and the premier Dutch drummer Frits Landesbergen - also considered one of the best vibraphonists in Europe.  

This album truly represents a “rewind” - a transition veering from his traditional path - where Ionata starts anew with an abundance of creativity and bold stylistic innovations.  An energetic swerve following an intense artistic career during which Max Ionata performed both as leader and as special guest at the world’s most important jazz festivals and clubs, collaborating with the greatest musicians in the world.  

The album contains two jazz standards, one song composed by Frits Landesbergen and arranged by Max Ionata, six original songs Ionata composed at the piano in August 2015, at his house in Abruzzo. A time during which he intensified his musical research, starting with his great passion for American jazz, particularly modern hard bop, unveiling new layers of that musical genius and intuitive melodic sense that distinguishes his music.  

Of the nine songs in the album, six are autobiographical: “Drum” is a tribute to the great Italian trumpeter Marco Tamburini, with whom Max shared key moments in his musical career; “Bob’s Mood” is inspired by Bob Mintzer and his unique style of composing; “Mr G.T.” is dedicated to his friend and colleague Gege’ Telesforo, who inspired Max with his unique way of experiencing the stage and with his passion for funk. “North Sea” is a ballad, played on the soprano sax, enthused by the coastal landscapes seen during their tour of Northern Europe; “Sunflower” stems from the effect of the intense colors of Van Gogh’s sunflowers, which had impressed Max during his visit to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

The track list ends with Antonio Carlos Jobim’s pulsing and rhythmic “Chovendo Na Roseira” followed by George Coleman’s  “Amsterdam After Dark” and concludes with the loping swing of “At Vic's” written by Frits Landerbergen and dedicated to one of the greatest musicians in jazz, Victor Feldman.

01 At vic's (Frits Landesbergen)
02 Drum (Max Ionata) 
03 The black hole (Max Ionata)
04 North sea  (Max Ionata)
05 Sunflower (Max Ionata)
06 Bob's mood (Max Ionata)
07 Chovendo na roseira (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
08 Amsterdam after dark (George Coleman)
09 Mr G.T. (Max Ionata)

Max Ionata - saxophones
Frits Landesbergen - drums and vibraphone
Alberto Gurrisi - hammond organ 
Amedeo Ariano - drums (on #9)  

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