jazz big band graz: ‘Urban Folktales … And A Rose!’ live at Jazzfest Berlin 2010

Horst-Michael Schaffer, vocals, trumpet, conductor
Heinrich von Kalnein, saxophones, flute, conductor
Christoph ‘Pepe’ Auer, saxophones, clarinet, bass clarinet
Johannes Enders, saxophones, flute
Martin Harms, saxophones, bass clarinet
Bernhard Nolf, Axel Mayer, David Jarh, trumpet, flugelhorn
Johannes Herrlich, Robert Bachner, trombone
Wolfgang Tischhart, bass trombone
Uli Rennert, keyboards, lapsteel guitar
Matthias Loibner, electric hurdy-gurdy
Christof Dienz, e-zither, bassoon
Henning Sieverts, bass, cello
Gregor Hilbe, drums, programming
Barbara Buchholz, theremin
OchoReSotto, visuals

recorded live at Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Main Stage, November 4, 2010

1. Band Introduction
2. Urban Tribes - Introduction
3. Seelenbaumeln
4. Spacetrip (or the day we landed)
5. Reve africain
6. High voltage

Among European jazz orchestras the Jazz Bigband Graz has earned an exceptionally good reputation. The international cohort of soloists performs on a superior level. The two artistic directors Heinrich von Kalnein and Horst-Michael Schaffer have managed to mould this heterogeneous flock of individualists into a homogeneous team with a genuine musical language.

The notion of a “Big Band” almost seems too conventional for the reckless musical adventures of this group from Styria since with each new project they further depart from their normal frame work of large jazz ensembles. In 2008, the JBBG celebrated triumphs with their progressive programme Electric Poetry & Lo-Fi Cookies. This year’s edition of JazzFest Berlin stages their latest extravaganza, Urban Folktales … And A Rose!
The poetry of the newly refurbished orchestra –extended by electric zither, amplified wheel fiddle/hurdy-gurdy and a theremin, plus visual projections by artist group OchoReSotto – revolves around one of the most elementary of all human issues – love.

Michael Wollny live at JazzBaltica 2010

Michael Wollny´s Wunderkammer

Michael Wollny (p)
Tamar Halperin (cemb)
Hanno Busch (git)
recorded live at Große Konzertscheune Salzau, July 4, 2010

1. Kabinett 5
2. Sagée
3. Hexentanz

ELECTRONIC MOODS
Michael Wollny (p)
Guy Sternberg (electronics)
Barbara Buchholz (theremin)
recorded live at Große Konzertscheune Salzau, July 3, 2010

1. In the middle of the riddle
2. Dune

Michael Wollny is a musical adventurer, someone who always seeks out new sounds and sends his audience on exciting journeys of sonic discovery. Consequently, the critical response to his music has been appropriately enthusiastic. On his lastest CD, Wunderkammer, Wollny, together with harpsichordist Tamar Halperin, and producer Guy Sternberg, again searches for that which hasn’t been heard before. This CD is a sound trip into the wonderful worlds which are created when all the historic and modern keyboard instruments of an entire museum are combined.
Keyboard instruments which for a long time didn’t appear to go hand in hand: here you have it all on one CD. Harpsichord, celesta, harmonium, rhodes piano, concert grand: a kaleidoscope of palpable possibilities - the hard, “quill” sound of the harpsichord, the heavenly sound of the ringing celesta and the warm, sacral musical air of the harmonium sit beautifully next to the captivating, oscillating, metal reed sound of a Rhodes E piano and the dependable brilliance of a concert grand. The title Wunderkammer (“chamber of curiosities”) is therefore spot on. These Wunderkammer were the secret rooms in castles and monasteries in which rulers and bishops stored all their curious treasures in Late Renaissance and Baroque times. These may have included anything from a narwhal’s tusk to porcelain from Eastern Asia, obscure gaming machines, globes and surgical instruments – many bizarre and wonderful things that would amaze onlookers. It is these chambers of curiosities which fascinate Michael Wollny; “They should also always be a miniature portrayal of the world, a microcosm. Many moments come together to form the whole.”

Jazz Big Band Graz "Electric Poetry & Lo-Fi Cookies" live at JazzBaltica 2009

Horst-Michael Schaffer, trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals
Bernhard Nolf, Axel Mayer, David Jarh, trumpets
Reinhard Summerer, Robert Bachner, Philip Yaeger, Wolfgang Tischhart, trombones
Heinrich von Kalnein, Robert Friedl, Johannes Enders, Herb Berger, Martin Harms, reeds
Uli Rennert, keys, lapsteel g, sampling; Oliver Kent, piano
Henning Sieverts, bass, cello; Gregor Hilbe, drums, electronics, programming
special guest: Barbara Buchholz, theremin

recorded live at Jazzbaltica Salzau, July 3, 2009

1. Trancefactor (Schaffer)
2. The Smile Of Smiles (Schaffer)
3. Meshell's Dreamland (Schaffer)
4. Some Days Ago In The Future (Schaffer/Buchholz)
5. Shades Of Tango (Schaffer)
6. The Magic Of Silence (Schaffer/ Simon & Garfunkel)

In its seventh year of existence the JBBG - jazz bigband graz under leadership of German saxophonist Heinrich von Kalnein and Austrian trumpeter Horst-Michael Schaffer is definitely a strong and unique voice on the European bigband map. With their newest album 'Electric Poetry & Lo-Fi Cookies' the band makes a huge leap forward. Composed by Horst-Michael Schaffer and produced by both of the bandleaders 'Electric Poetry & Lo-Fi Cookies' combines the cool electronic sounds of today’s clubscene with the power and sophistication of the 17–piece jazz bigband graz. High-virtuoso and energetic solos are framed by strong melodies and counterpoint, which lead to musical excursions to Minimal Music as well as to Argentina and Africa. As a special guest they invited Berlin-based Theremin artist Barbara Buchholz providing a few very special sounds with her ancient electronic instrument. On top of this leader Horst-Michael Schaffer himself surprises as a superb and convincing vocalist.