This blog post is all about friends, people which are important in my life and as well about musicians I have worked with, like or wanted to work with at one point. There is no better starting point in such an article than Wolfgang Puschnig, one of my best friends since I met him first, doing an interview for JazzLive in 1984 and one of the best alto saxophonists of today (and that’s not only my opinion, just ask Carla Bley). Later I met Dave Holland via his ECM recordings and we did work together on various projects as well and Chris Potter I met when he started recording for Universal in 2001 and we stayed in touch ever since. James Brandon Lewis is one of the most exciting young improvisers on the scene and I am glad I had the chance to work with him on two recordings for Okeh. Aydin Esen, the pianist on Ayna Veer, was on the first Wolfgang Muthspiel album I was responsible for and later I released his album ‘Living’ on Emarcy. The connection to Gretchen Parlato is a bit different – I love what she does and wanted to sign the vocal trio Tillery to Okeh, but the team in New York didn’t get the record and didn’t let me go ahead with it. Then I hoped to sign Gretchen’s new music, but by the time she was ready to release something my time at Okeh had unfortunately come to an end already. I met her at North Sea and Taylor Eigsti introduced us there and then I met her again at a showcase for Tillery. Samuel Blaser and Daniel Herskedal both attended lectures I did on the music business during their stay at one of John Cumming’s Take Five educational programs. Wonderful guys and great musicians both. In a way this is all about connections between people, music being the starting point in all of them and it is about continuity in life. But most of all it is about great people and great music!!
Wolfgang Puschnig + / Uli Scherer Memorial Concert – As Puschnig writes in the liner notes to this wonderful recording, the record features songs written by pianist Scherer, who passed in 2018, some of his most beloved songs as well as two compositions that Wolfgang wrote for him. The band featured all musicians that had at one point worked with Uli and therefore brought their emotional connection into the music. The musicians are Ali Gaggl and Lena Kuchling on vocals, Martin Reiter on piano, Karl Sayer on bass, Emil Kristof on drums and the Koehne String Quartet. They opened the show with a stunning ’Smile’ using an arrangement by Scherer for the touching string quartet intro before the band delicately enters. Another highlight of the concert is Puschnig’s composition ‘The Sadness Of Yuki’ , which as well can be heard on the outstanding duo album of Puschnig and Scherer ‘Traces’, which was released in 2001 by Emarcy. Scherer’s ‘No. 12’ and the medley of Puschnig’s ‘Eastern Mood’ and Coltrane’s ‘India’ are other incredible tracks on an overall amazing recording. All musicians and the string quartet are playing to their best, making this a perfect homage for a wonderful musicians and human being.
Dave Holland / Another Land – When I saw and heard the then new Dave Holland trio 4 years ago, I wrote the following afterwards in a blog on the Madrid Jazz Festival: On 28th of November 2017 was the show of the Dave Holland Trio, featuring beside Dave guitarist Kevin Eubanks and drummer Obed Calvaire, and they delivered a show that must count as one of the best of the year: powerful jazz, blues and rock elements mixed to a unique brew that only musicians of this calibre can create! Despite some memorable soloing by Eubanks, this is first of all a group effort and without the different individuals it wouldn’t work the way it does. They include the whole history of jazz somehow, from blues to Miles (especially Tribute to Jack Johnson) plus a bit of the Band of Gypsies … with incredible group interplay and improvisations. Can’t wait until these guys are going to release their album!!! Sensational!!! Finally, that album has arrived and from the first note of Hollands electric bass it is clear where this one is going: deep into rock and groove! ’20 20’ being a great example of how the guys switch from groove to more laidback rhythms, creating an intense piece of music and ‘Another Land’ highlights their amazing communication when playing a ballad. ‘Mashup’ could be a Hendrix track and all three musicians are on fire here, soaring! And ‘Bring It Back Home’ ends this masterpiece with a bluesy feel and asking for more. Love it!!!!
Chris Potter / Sunrise Reprise – Potter had released in 2019 his widely acclaimed first album with James Francies on piano and keyboards and drummer Eric Harland, entitled ‘Circuits’. This Circuits Trio went back into the studio in September 2020 and months of not performing, restrictions in everyone’s social life and a global threat to our well-being came out in this outstanding and deeply emotional session. A true trio recording, with space and incredible communication and soloing. Potter sounds as strong and inventive as ever, Francies surely a star in the making and Harland is just amazing. The album features five songs, the shortest comes in at 5.11 minutes, the longest at 24.27 – not a dull second in any of them!!! Modern, adventurous and cool and performed at an unbelievable high level of musicianship! A valuable addition to Potters already large catalogue of top jazz releases.
James Brandon Lewis’ Red Lily Quartet / Jesup Wagon – For this new album, tenor sax player Lewis put together a new group featuring Kirk Knuffke on cornet, William Parker on bass and gimbri, Chris Hoffman on cello and Chad Taylor on drums and mbira. Lewis’ musical appreciation of Washington Carver, a 19th century African-American renaissance man, is a powerful tale, narrated via his compositions. Says James Brandon: “I’m not interested in going into the studio just for the sake of recording. How do you make music have a sound image? All these things I’m interested in are innate in my being.” His sound is full and clear and he is now one of the few younger saxists named in the same breath as Shepp, Sanders and Ayler, and deservedly so. His compositions are melodic and open, grounded in the jazz tradition, lifting up from there into today and soar beyond. Spectacular and captivating from beginning to end. I sincerely hope I get a chance to hear this band live – they must be something else!!
Ayna Veer / Ayna Veer – Legendary Turkish pianist and keyboarder Aydin Esen hooked up with a bunch of young musicians while in Switzerland and they liked each other’s company so much that they booked a studio date – let’s see what happens. Beside Esen there were Vernau Mier (sax), Eric Valle (drums) & Nadav Erlich (bass) in the studio and when they were finished, they had seven hours of original and improvised material. The album reflects that approach and holds three originals and five numbered improvisations – all perfectly performed by musicians who are listening, reacting, communicating. Esen shows why Chick Corea thought he is one of the best pianists in jazz and the youngsters seem inspired in his presence, creating music that is informed by Chick, Miles and Weather Report, but taking it into today, moving forward. As great and captivating the group improvisations are, the outstanding track for me is ‘Secret Wildflower’. Highly recommended!!
Gretchen Parlato / Flor – Eight years after the release of her sensational live album, Parlato is releasing a new album – “This project is a reflection of a time of putting myself aside and being completely present as a mom,” says the singer. “A role that’s so giving and selfless, and is a complete shift of focus. I’m finally able to find the balance between artistic creativity and nurturing motherhood. My purpose has both a higher and deeper meaning. There is a story to tell, now…of who I am in this role, and how that is reflected in the music.” A wonderful mixture of covers and originals, this album seamlessly wanders between Brazilian music, R&B, jazz and pop, Gretchen’s unique voice and phrasing keeping it all together. The recording features Marcel Camargo on guitar, Artyom Manukyan on cello and Léo Costa on drums and percussion, with guest appearances by Mark Guiliana on drums, Gerald Clayton on piano and Airto Moreira on voice and percussion. My personal favourite is the song ‘Magnus’, an uplifting and beautiful track which Gretchen already had recorded with Tillery on their underrated first album. In a touching tribute to the late trumpet star Roy Hargrove, she performs his song ‘Roy Allen’, featuring Airto Moreira. Her own ‘Wonderful’ is another highlight on a glorious record, that ends with a stunning version of David Bowie’s ‘No Plan’. An album that will stand the test of time by one of the most individual singers of today!
Daniel Herskedal / Harbour – Herskedal again is widening the boundaries of his instrument and making the tuba a lead instrument like any other. His lyrical and melodic approach, wonderful tone, soft and touching, and outstanding compositions, make this an album easy to listen to, but with deep musical content. Pianist Eyolf Dale and percussionist Helge Andreas Norbakken are the perfect companions for his music. The compositions are inspired by the sea and finding shelter from the elements – a typical Norwegian theme, perfectly transferred to sound by these three fine musicians. Herskedal shines throughout the album, having the tuba sound sometimes like a trumpet, sometimes deeper and comforting, always full of emotions. Dale is a wonderful and attentive pianist and Norbakken laying the foundations of rhythm and structure. Just check out the track’ The Lighthouse On The Horizon’ and I am sure you want to hear all of the album. Not to be missed!!
Samuel Blaser & Marc Ducret / Audio Rebel – While touring was suspended over the last 18 months, Swiss trombone player Blaser went back to some recordings he did in the past to see what could be released on his new and own imprint Blaser Music. He came across this 2013 duo live recording from the intimate concert venue and studio Audio Rebel in Rio de Janeiro. Blaser and French guitarist Ducret had performed together since 2009 and this was the culmination of this musical relationship: an improvised and open communication between two masters of their instruments. Lead and support change in subtle ways between the two instruments, searching for expressions, to which the other will react appropriately. An album that is open spaced and contemplative and will need many times of listening to discover all the fine nuances in their musical dialogue. Captivating!
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