Thursday, May 19, 2016

Bojan Krhlanko, Domen Gnezda, Hrvoje Galler - BIK3 (2016)


Label: Self Released
Source: Klub Metulj


The band from Slovenia (Europe) brings you original compositions in an electronic music environment incorporating smartphone technology.
Bojan Krhlanko graduated at the Carinthia State Conservatory in Klagenfurt (Austria). He collaborates with world-renown musicians, and regularly performs in European and Asian countries. He is recognized as a composer, music enthusiast, experimenter, and incorporator of environmental sounds. He is known for his unique musical approach on drums and the use of mobile phone in a musical context. A very creative musician, who is always researching areas of unheard, was the first musician to release an album made on a smartphone in its entirety (Pocket Music – Rise of the Androids). #DigitalWitchDoctor 
 
 
Domen Gnezda is one of the most recognizable guitarists of improvised, experimental and modern jazz music of the younger generation in Slovenia. He was a scholarship recipient at Berklee College of Music (Boston, USA), where he graduated with honors. He collaborates in numerous projects with Slovenian and international musicians for which he received the prestigious municipal award for international musical achievements. His palette of expressivity ranges from microtonality, 12-tone approaches, and abstract sound endeavors to polyrhythms, and traditional ways of expression. Besides playing guitar as his main instrument, he also uses effects, analog and modular synths, and other sound accessories. #AwardWinningMusician


Hrvoje Galler graduated in piano performance at the Music academy of Zagreb (Croatia). He is currently one of the most active and prospective jazz pianists of highest demand in Zagreb and Croatia. He is the recipient of the prestigious award “Porin” for the best jazz performance with the album “Runjić in Blue”. He is a very prolific jazz and film composer with an intriguing melodic approach to improvisation which oozes enchanting lyricism. For BiK 3 he uses analog synth and electric piano which allow him to play synth bass, electric solos, beautiful pads and everything in between. #WizardOfKeys










 

Andrew McAnsh - Illustrations (2016)


Label: Self Released
Source: Joyful Noise


Toronto based trumpeter Andrew McAnsh is busy performing with his “Illustrations Project.” He is currently involved in several creative groups and initiatives, as well as a composition society.
At Humber College, Andrew studied trumpet performance and music production, and played in the top studio ensembles under the direction of Pat Labarbera, Hilario Duran, Kirk MacDonald, and Denny Christianson. He has collaborated with Jack Dejohnette, Chris Potter, Joe Lovano, Dave Holland, Terence Blanchard, and the New York Voices to name a few. Andrew has gone international, taking advantage of the rare opportunity to perform in Japan in the Global Jazz Orchestra, alongside the great trumpeter Bobby Shew.
After graduating, Andrew played in a jazz quartet aboard the Celebrity Cruise Lines for six months, has released two albums as band leader and worked on several other albums as producer.  He is currently composing for the CBC.
Andrew takes a flexible teaching approach, focused on the student’s musical interest.  He is proficient in jazz, classical, salsa, mariachi, pop, and funk.

Music and Zen have always been intertwined in the artistic vision of trumpeter/composer Andrew McAnsh. Currently, Andrew is working on releasing his debut studio album ‘Illustrations’ on June 29th 2016. “Do not listen to the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice inside yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things” – Zen Master Dogen    


1. Utopia pt 1 03:00
2. Utopia pt 2 05:49
3. Illustrations pt 1 01:28
4. Illustrations pt 2 06:36
5. Confabulation 04:46
6. Seven Seconds 07:48
7. 4 for 5 08:35
8. Nara pt 1 02:03
9. Nara pt 2 07:42
10.Osaka 08:36
   

Andrew McAnsh – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Jeff Larochelle – Tenor Saxophone
P.J. Andersson – Trombone
Mjaa Danielson – Voice (1,2,3,4)
Mara Nesrallah – Voice (5,8,9)
Geoff Young – Guitar (1,2,3,4,10)
Wes Allen – Bass (1,2,3,4,10)
Soren Nissen – Bass (5,6,7,8,9)
Ian Wright – Drums  




 

Kyle Nasser - Restive soul (2015)


Label: Aisa 
Source: Cdbaby

“Nice! Lots of terrific playing... my compliments to the musicians.”  Peter Erskine


Saxophonist Kyle Nasser was a student of Economics and Political Philosophy at Harvard University when his life was changed by an encounter with Hank Jones. The legendary pianist, then in his late 80s, visited Cambridge to teach and play a concert with the Harvard Jazz Band, making a profound impact on the young saxophonist. “Seeing him in peak form and expressing joy through music at such an advanced age was really deep,” Nasser recalls. “We took him out to dinner, ended up playing a three-hour session, and then he asked us to take him home so that he could get in some practicing before bed. That left a huge impression and reinforced that I should do this. I didn’t have any old investment banker friends that seemed very happy.”

Nasser graduated from Harvard and switched paths, leading him to another revered institution: Berklee College of Music. He’s now reaching another landmark along that path with his striking debut, Restive Soul, out March 25, 2015 A trace of the saxophonist’s former pursuit remains in the title, which was drawn from a quote by French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville ascribing his pursuit of politics to his own “restive and insatiable soul.” The album displays the keen intellect that landed Nasser at one of America’s most hallowed schools, along with the passion that steered him away from a potentially lucrative career in business to pursue his lifelong love of music.

The compositions that comprise Restive Soul combine fervent jazz playing by Nasser’s quintet – Jeff Miles (guitar), Dov Manski (piano), Chris Van Voorst (bass), and Devin Drobka (drums) – with elements from Nasser’s intensive study of western classical music. But this is no Third Stream hybrid, wearing its “classical” inspirations on its sleeve; instead, Nasser seamlessly assimilates counterpoint and long-form harmonic development into electrifying modern jazz pieces. Those concepts were then workshopped on the bandstand over the course of several years during the band’s regular Tuesday-night gigs at Brooklyn bar The Fifth Estate.

“I became obsessed with counterpoint at Berklee,” Nasser says. “You have to take traditional counterpoint courses, and it hit me that this is what I had been looking for and missing in a lot of the jazz that I’d been listening to and playing. I got the impression that a lot of people were writing tunes because they wanted to blow over them as opposed to having a conscious compositional direction to the piece. I wanted to make a quintet sound like an orchestra.”

The album opens with “For Rick B.,” a theme-and-variations tribute to Nasser’s most important teacher, New Bedford-area saxophonist and pianist Rick Britto, who passed away while Nasser was in the midst of writing the piece. No mournful elegy, the piece instead builds from a piquant sax-and-guitar melody over a surging rhythm. It’s followed by the floating, dream-like “Angelique,” a shimmering showcase for the rhythm section.

The title track illustrates that restlessness of spirit that drives an artist like Nasser with its persistent rock groove, driven by Miles’ serrated guitar. The dark-tinged cinematic feeling of “Shadow Army” is captured in its evocative title, while “Gyorgi Goose” refers to both avant-garde classical composer György Ligeti and a stuffed animal that Nasser received from his mother – twin inspirations evoked by the tune’s simultaneous dissonance and playfulness. The melody of “Radiator Lady” hints at the song hauntingly crooned by one of the memorable oddities in David Lynch’s Eraserhead,

“Trip To Lester’s” is an homage to Harvard professor emeritus and marijuana activist Lester Grinspoon, who would hold court for graduates at his home. Nasser’s piece conjures the atmosphere of those sessions and their crisscrossing, disjointed but stimulating conversations. “Whitestone” and “Ecstatic Repose” are impressionistic pieces, the former an attempt to capture the sunset vista of New York City as seen from the Whitestone Bridge, the latter a depiction of how the mind can be frenetic while the body is at rest. The album draws to a hopeful close with the folk-like melody of “Rise.”

While it wasn’t until the end of his tenure at Harvard that Nasser determined to pursue jazz as a career, his love for it began at the age of six. Kyle’s parents frequented a local restaurant in his native New Bedford, Massachusetts, that featured a live jazz band. He was immediately enthralled by the saxophone player, who ended up becoming his first teacher. Too small at the time to hold the saxophone, he started out on the clarinet, leading initially to a more classical education before he joined his junior high jazz band.

After graduating from Harvard and Berklee, Nasser moved to New York City in 2010. He has shared the stage with jazz luminaries such as Jim Hall, Hank Jones, Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas and Ben Monder, among others. He’s also toured the U.S. and South America with his own music and with the collective quartet Beekman, which recently released its own debut album.


1. For Rick B.
2. Angelique
3. Restive Soul
4. Shadow Army
5. Gyorgi Goose
6. Radiator Lady
7. Trip to Lester's
8. Whitestone
9. Ecstatic Repose
10. Rise


Kyle Nasser - saxophone
Jeff Miles - guitar
Dov Manski - piano
Chris Van Voorst - bass
Devin Drobka - drums




 

 

Fabian Meyer Trio - Chrysalide (2016) UNIT RECORDS



present



Fabian Meyer's trio combines the old and new. Playing melodies in a loose way and intensely listening to each other, the trio offers a refreshing experience. I'm curious to see where this trio will go!

Shai Maestro (Avishai Cohen Trio, Shai Maestro Trio)

The Fabian Meyer Trio has it’s fingers on the pulse of time. The trio brings together Fabian Meyer on piano (graduate from the University of Music Stuttgart and Royal College of Music in Stockholm) Sebastian Schuster on bass (graduate from the University of Music Stuttgart an Cape Town) and Felix Schrack on drums (graduate from the University of Music Stuttgart, Würzburg and Cracow).

The pianist’s compositions lay the foundations for adventurous improvisations. Often contemplative but also full of energy, the tunes were created specially for this trio. Consistently seeking for new harmonic and rhythmic structures, the trio has found it’s own sound. While magical shimmering chords meet complex rhythms and classical elements meet loose melodies, the trio’s music is rooted in the jazz tradition and always of full clarity.


01. Rubato
02. Soso
03. Hin Und Her
04. Interlude
05. Flaschengeist
06. Simmer Down
07. Dreierhälften
08. Chrysalide
09. Caracole
10. Oktober

Fabian Meyer - Piano, compositions
Sebastian Schuster - Bass
Felix Schrack - Drums

Recorded at Loft Cologne
Recording August 24-26, 2015
Studio engineer and mastering by Christian Heck, Tonart Studio
All compositions by Fabian Meyer

Contact: mail@fabianmeyermusic.de +49(0)17638955960

www.fabianmeyermusic.de

Upcoming Concerts:
Jazz im Landschloss, Korntal-Münchingen D   02.06.2016
Bechstein-Centrum, Tübingen D   03.06.2016
Jazzclub in der Mitte, Reutlingen D   24.09.2016
Jazzclub Armer Konrad, Weinstadt D   02.02.2017


BUY THIS ALBUM

Steffen Weber - Sideline (2016) UNIT RECORDS



present


BIO

Steffen Weber studied jazz and popular music at the Musikhochschule Mannheim from 1995 to 1999. He is saxophone tutor at the Musikhochschule Mainz.

The band L14,16 which was founded during college days, won unanimously the 24th “Jazz Hoeilaart international Belgium” Jazz Contest. The first two CDs of L14,16 received the "Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik".

He has so far made recordings with his own projects and he also played in productions with Branford Marsalis, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Potter, Greg Osby, Joe Lovano, Joey de Francesco, Jeff Hamilton, Sammy Nestico, Randy Brecker amongst others.

Steffen Weber has played at North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland), Montreux Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz Festival, Rennes und Paris, London Jazz Festival, Jazz House Kopenhagen, Montreal Jazz Festival, Instanbul Jazz Festival, Jazzfestival Kecskemét (Hungary), Jazz Baltica (Germany).

In 2005 Steffen Weber was given the jazz award of the city Worms. L14,16 is winner of the renowned international jazz competition in Hoeilaart (Belgium) and he obtained as a member of the Felix Fromm sextett the first prize of the international jazz contest in Getxo. He got a scholarship from the "Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg" in 2009.

From 2008 to 2012 he was a steady member of the SWR Big Band. Since 2012 he has been a member of the HR Big Band.

He lives with his wife and his two sons in Weinheim/Germany



24. Mai 2016 - 20:00
IG-JAZZ KLAPSMÜHL MANNHEIM
Klapsmühl' am Rathaus, D6 3, 68159 Mannheim

2. Juni 2016 - 20:00
JAZZCLUB CAVE 61 E.V.
Lauffener Str. 2, 74081 Heilbronn

3. Juni 2016 - 20:30
BIRDLAND 59
Pforzheimer Str. 25, 76275 Ettlingen

4. Juni 2016 - 21:00
JAZZKELLER FRANKFURT
Kleine Bockenheimer Str. 18a, 60313 Frankfurt am Main

17. Juni 2016 - 20:00
JAZZCLUB NEUSTADT
Steinhäuser Hof, Rathausstraße 6a, 67433 Neustadt

18. Juni 2016 - 21:00
JAZZCLUB VILLINGEN E.V.
Webergasse 5, 78050 Villingen-Schwenningen

19. Juni 2016 - 18:00
APG MOSBACH
Heidelberger Str. 39, 74821 Mosbach

18. Juli 2016 - 20:30
JAZZKONGRESS E.V.
Schützenallee 12, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau

25. September 2016 - 19:30
STADTKIRCHE DARMSTADT
An der Stadtkirche 1, 64283 Darmstadt

28. September 2016 - 20:00
JAZZ IM MARSTALL
Amtsgasse 5, 64646 Heppenheim


01. Soapbox Derby
02. Bluesalus
03. Skógafoss
04. Intro Butterfliegen
05. Butterfliegen
06. Kvalitetstid (II)
07. The Tempest
08. Badnerlied
09. Mellow Yellow
10. Weeping Willow
11. (Ikke Akkurat) Akkurat No
12. Kvalitetstid (I)
13. Zosia (Bonus Track)

Steffen Weber - Saxophone
Christian Jaksjo - Trombone, Valve Trombone, Baritone Horn 
Sebastian Sternal - Piano
Arne Huber - Bass
Axel Pape - Drums

Recorded at Hansahaus-Studios, Bonn
Recording Date: 2-3 November 2015
Studio engineer: Oliver Bergner / Mastering: Chris von Rautenkranz
All compositions by Steffen Weber except track 6,11 &12 composed by Christian Jaksjo, track 8 traditional

Contact: Steffen Weber / An der Steinbüchse 161 / 69469 Weinheim D


BUY THIS ALBUM

Christine Corvisier & Spyros Manesis - First Takes (2016) UNIT RECORDS



present


Christine Corvisier

Spyros Manesis

Christine Corvisier and Spyros Manesis introduce their new album "First Takes" recorded during their last tour in Greece. The Duo presents a repertoire of own Modern Jazz-related compositions which highlight the stellar interplay and mutual improvisation. Sensitivity and lyricism combined with virtuosity, creativity and intense interaction are the crucial elements of their playing, which features a wide array of moods and musical idioms. 

1. Tool Blues
2. Hymne à l'amour
3. Inside
4. Falling
5. Now
6. Shadows
7. Ayema

Recorded at Echo Recording Studio, Athens -Griechenland 
Recording Date: February 2015
Studio engineer: Verona Antypas and mastering by Christoph Stickel
Compositions 1,5 und 7 by Christine Corvisier
Compositions 3,4 und 6 by Spyros Manesis
Track 2 composed by Marguerite Monnot and Arranged by Christine Corvisier

Special Thanks to Verona, Kostas, Christoph and Christos 
and 




BUY THIS ALBUM

Tobias Wember Subway Jazz Orchestra - State of Mind (2016) UNIT RECORDS



present



5-Part Suite for Jazz Orchester

In 2014, the suite state of mind for jazz orchester was created. It is, in its scope and versatility, the result of Tobias Wembers long-time experience in writing contemporary music. Wember’s compositions occur in special moments, through which this varied and comprehensive suite, based on everyday emotions and situations was shaped. Soft, melancholy sequences are replaced by pulsating, advancing music. Contemplative melodies encounter powerful, structured and richly coloured passages.

In 2015, Tobias Wember was awarded the WDR jazz prize for composition and produced the CD state of mind in the German Deutschlandfunk studios with the Subway Jazz Orchestra.


01. Introduction
02. Interlude #1
03. Pt. 1 - State of Mind
04. Pt. 2 - Stress
05. Pt. 3 - Pine
06. Pt. 4 - End of a Circle
07. Interlude #2
08. Pt. 5 - Looking Forward
09. Outro

sax´s: Malte Dürrschnabel, Johannes Ludwig, Stefan Karl Schmid, Jens Böckamp, Heiko Bidmon
trpt´s: Matthias Schwengler, Bastian Stein, Maik Krahl, Lennart Schnitzler
trb´s: Janning Trumann, Raphael Klemm, Tim Hepburn,Jan Schreiner (b-trb)
Sebastian Scobel (p), Philipp Brämswig (git), David Helm (b) Thomas Sauerborn (dr) Tobias Wember (conducting)

Ufnahmedatum: 20th - 22nd 2015
Aufnahmestudio: kammermusiksaal deutschlandfunk, Cologne DE
Recorded by christian heck and Ernst Hartmann, may 20th - 22nd 2015 at kammermusiksaal 
Deutschlandfunk, cologne assistant engineer: Jutta Stein
Mixed and mastered by Christian Heck at tonart studio, kerpen
Produced by Tobias Wember
Radio producer: Harald Rehmann
Cover design and photos by Nadine Targiel


Upcoming Concerts:
Walder Theatertage, Solingen DE 20.05.2016

BUY THIS ALBUM

Cosmopolitan Sextet - Cosmopolitan (2016) UNIT RECORDS



present


In summer 2015, the Cosmopolitan Sextet produced his first CD "Cosmopolitan" in the studios of "Saarländischer Rundfunk", together with the sound engineer Ralf Schnellbach. The band works together since 3 years. Every musician is composing and everyone brings his own language and experience in the band sound.
Rick met Stas during a jamsession in Saarbrücken. It started in duo and developped quickly to sextet. "Its great to work with those amazing musician and friends. We all have the same goal; to create our own sound, our own music and to present it worldwide for a crowd of people."

On them new CD "Comopolitan", one can hear this,what was created in the last three years. The cooperation with UNIT RECORDS makes this publication possible. Enjoy our music.



01. Too Pretty for Sexy Girls
02. Now You Are Free
03. Brown Sugar
04. Morgendämmerung
05. Donna Lee
06. Licht
07. Nyliram

Rick-Henry Ginkel - Guitar
Stanislav Zhukovskyy - Oboe, Englishhorn, Duduk
Michael Christensen - Grand Piano, Clarinet
Gabriele Basilico - Double Bass, Electric Bass
Christoph Schnell - Drums
Anton Zhukovskyy - Percussion Syntheziser

Recorded and mixed at the studios of "Saarländischer Rundfunk", July 2015
Studio engineer and mastering by Ralf Schnellbach

Special Thanks to Peter Kleiss and Ralf Schnellbach for supporting us.

Contact: Rick-Henry Ginkel, info@cosmopolitan-sextet.com

Upcoming Concerts:
Saarländischer Rundfunk, Saarbrücken D 03.06.2016
Marktplatz, Homburg DE 20.08.2016

BUY THIS ALBUM


Simon Nabatov / Mark Dresser / Dominik Mahnig - Equal Poise (2016) LEO RECORDS



present

Simon Nabatov / Mark Dresser / Dominik Mahnig - Equal Poise (2016)

Halfway through last year the album was released ‘Projections’ of Russia, in Germany, to dwell pianist Simon Nabatov and American bassist Mark Dresser. “Projections” was recorded on May 31, 2014 in the LOFT in Cologne and on the same day is also “Equal Poise ‘down which the two experienced jazz musicians assisted by the young Swiss drummer Dominik Mahnig.

Nabatov and Dresser are so experienced that the setting in which they did not play their instrument seems to matter. Adaptability is phenomenal, but both also press undeniably their own (way) mark on the musical event. Fortunately does Mahnig on this record: he is remarkably present and plays in the service of the harmony of the trio.

The title ‘Equal Poise “is well chosen: there is equilibrium between the three musicians and the music they produce. As in the liner notes to the album is expressed, there are no predictable solo spots, no ego trips, no discernible stylistic dogma, only make the pure joy of the music of three like-minded souls. The trio makes these words completely true, but it also leads to interesting music? Well, you bet.

Triplet can superficial listening jazz sometimes neat, even elegant sound like the piano sounds in the opening of Full Circles, but tension built up and discharged and there is room for disruption. The musical structure is not free but loose and the game view is as free as possible within this loose structure. Excesses come welcome moments and tackle invariably paid off.

The technical skills of these three musicians are, not surprisingly. Nabatov plays with apparently playful ease one after another sparkling piano tune, thereby laying a refined sense of melody to the day. The dynamics in his playing is matchless; he knows, always well placed, firm and recover percussive, but even in those passages he shows his melodic class.

Dresser shows just like in ‘Projections’ highly versatile and accommodating as well as oppositional. His warm, round tone alternates with capricious bass-game. Mahnigs drumming is inventive without being too flashy; he uses the capabilities of the full drum kit and he also uses some attributes, but it is not a musical box of tricks which he opens.

Five pieces Equal Poise “and knows all five shows the trio how resourceful it makes music, how well they listen to each other and give each other space, all in order to achieve the best possible sound together as a trio. Of course there are here and some brief solo and duospots but which are ultimately in the service of the common game. The interaction is truly fabulous and Equal Poise ‘after’ Projections’, and with many thanks to Mahnig, the second grandiose CD Nabatov and Dresser in a few months time.

Full Circles
Wind Up and Down
Sambar é Bom
Minor Force
Lithe Moves

Simon Nabatov, piano
Mark Dresser, bass
Dominik Mahnig, drums

BUY THIS ALBUM