The Cookers live at 40th Jazzweek Burghausen 2009

Billy Harper (ts)
Craig Handy (as),
Eddie Henderson (tp)
David Weiss (tp)
George Cables (p)
Cecil McBee (b)
E. J. Strickland (dr)

recorded live at 40th International Jazzweek Burghausen 2009

1. Capra Black (Billy Harper)
2. Peacemaker (Cecil McBee)
3. The Core (Freddie Hubbard)
4. Sweet Rita Suite Part II (George Cables)
5. The Chief (Harold Mabern)

6. Priestess (Billy Harper)

The Cookers is comprised of many of the musicians who contributed to the development of this sound and to pushing the music forward from there. While giants in their own right, the members of this ensemble have performed and/or recorded with pretty much every jazz great of the past 40 years including Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Herbie Hancock, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, and Dexter Gordon, to name just a few. The group performs newly arranged versions of classic compositions by Billy Harper, Cecil McBee and George Cables along with works by the other members of the ensemble.

Till Brönner & Band live in Burghausen 2009

Till Brönner (tp, keyb, voc)
Jasper Soffers (p)
Johan Leijonhufvud (g)
Dieter Ilg (b)
Wolfgang Haffner (dr)
Afra Mussawisade (perc)

40. Internationale Jazzwoche Burghausen 2009

1. Estate
2. 42nd & 6th
3. Little Sunflower
4. The Moment
5. In A Second
6. A Distant Episode
7. Café Com Pão
8. A Rã
9. No Breakfeast
10. Your Way To Say Goodbye
11. Rising Star

All too often German trumpet player and vocalist Till Brönner tends to play "too smooth" for a jazz purists ear. Consequently he has explored different territories of today´s popular music forms, as he did on his latest recording "Rio", recorded in Brazil.
On this concert date presented here with an excellent band, Brönner shows also his jazz side, paying off his dues to modern trumpet playing (c.f. the really great solo on Freddie Hubbard´s Little Sunflower).

Ray Brown Trio & Friends live at 32nd Jazzweek Burghausen 2001

Ray Brown, bass

Larry Fuller, piano
George Fludas, drums
Regina Carter, violin
Nicholas Payton, trumpet
Kevin Mahogany, vocals
Holly Hofmann, flute

32. Internationale Jazzwoche Burghausen 2001

1. Introduction by Ray Brown
2. All Blues
3. My Romance
4. Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
5. My Foolish Heart
6. On Green Dolphin Street
7. Sterie
8. It Might As Well Be Spring
9. In A Sentimental Mood
10. No Greater Love
11. Up There
12. Hello Girls
13. Duke Ellington Medley
14. Caravan

Don & Dave Grusin feat. Lee Ritenour live at Bavarian Broadcast Munich 2009

Dave Grusin, piano (1-3, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Don Grusin, piano (1,2,4, 8)
Lee Ritenour, guitar (5, 6)

recorded live at Studio II, Bavarian Broadcast in Munich/ Germany, November 4, 2009

1. All Blues (M.Davis)
2. Five Brothers (G.Mulligan)
3. The Milagro Beanfield War Medley: Lupita/ Pistolero/ Milagro (Dave Grusin)
4. Chico Mendez (Don Grusin)
5. Echoes (Lee Ritenour)
6. Amparo (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
7. Memphis Stomp (from The Firm O.S.T.) (Dave Grusin)
8. What a Friend We Have In Jesus (Trad.)

Fusion legends Dave & Don Grusin and Lee Ritenour need no introduction. While on tour with their all star band "The Hang" through Europe, they recorded this intimate, purely acoustic set in Munich, reflecting the more classically oriented crossover projects Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin did together, for example on the album "Amparo".

Aldo Romanos Flower Power Trio: "Woodstock Vibes" live at German Jazzfestival Frankfurt 2009


Aldo Romano, Drums

Baptiste Trotignon, Piano

Thomas Bramerie, Bass

recorded live at hr-Studio, Frankfurt Radio, Germany, October 31, 2009

1. Mr. Tambourine Man (Bob Dylan)
2. With a Little Help From My Friends (Lennon/ McCartney)
3. Black Dog (Led Zeppelin)
4. The End (The Doors)/ Crying Song (Pink Floyd)
5. Introductions by Aldo Romano
6. Hey Joe (Jimi Hendrix)
7. We´re Gonna Take It (The Who)
8. Say It Ain´t So (Murray Head)
9. Sackement (Charlie Parker)

Italo-French drummer Aldo Romano gained notice when he started working with Don Cherry in 1963. He recorded with Steve Lacy and would go on to tour with Dexter Gordon among others. In the 1970s he moved into rock-influenced forms of jazz fusion and in 1978 made his first album as a leader. In the 1980s he returned to his earlier style for several albums. In 2007 he released his tribute to Woodstock "Flower Power" on Naïve Group.

Joo Kraus Basic Jazz Lounge live in München 2009

Joo Kraus, trumpet, flügelhorn, spoken words
Frank Kuruc, guitar
Ralf Schmid, keyboards
Patrick Scales, bass
Christian Lettner, drums

recorded live at Gärtnerplatztheater, Munich, Germany, October 29, 2009

1. "Jazz Heaven/Morning Song" (Joo Kraus/Ralf Schmid)
2. "Red Clay" (Freddie Hubbard)
3. "Bolero" (Maurice Ravel/Arrangement Ralf Schmid)
4. "My ride" (Joo Kraus/Ralf Schmid)
5. "Jooleo" (Joo Kraus)
6. "Diskojazz" (Joo Kraus/Ralf Schmid)
7. "Back to the basics" (L. Sima)

German trumpet player Joo Krauss, known from his duo project Tab Two (with Kraan bassist Helmut Hattler) started his solo career with the highly acclaimed album "Public Jazz Lounge", released on Skip records. The following project called "Basic Jazz Lounge" released the album "the Ride" on edel in 2006.

Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra live at JazzBaltica 2009

Daniel Glatzel (composition, tenor sax, clarinet, bass-clarinet)
Oliver Roth (flute)
Laure Mourot (flute, alto-flute, piccolo-flute)
Sebastian Hägele (bassoon)
Johannes Schleiermacher (baritone sax, tenor sax)

Aki Sebastian Ruhl (trumpet, flügelhorn)
Magnus Schriefl (trumpet, flügelhorn)
Gerhard Gschlössl (trombone, sousaphone)

Karl Ivar Refseth (vibraphone)
Andi Haberl (drums)
Anna Viechtl (harp)
Kalle Zeier (guitar)
Andi Waelti (contrabass)

Matthew Lonson (violin)
Josa Gerhard (violin)
Mokkapan Phongphit (violin)
Johannes Pennetzdorfer (viola)
Martin Stupka (viola)
Charlotte Jacke (cello)
Isabelle Klemt (cello)

recorded live at Große Konzertscheune Salzau, July 5, 2009

1. Gamma Pluto Delta
2. Woima
3. Lava Lovers
4. Asteroids!
5. Harmagedon Night Express
6. Floating On The River Styx
7. Radioactive People

I promised you earlier this year to present this concert to you...

The music of AMEO is so rich in direct or indirect quotes that you really don't know where to begin. Take Off! is true to it's name - the album is wild, headstrong, haunting, atmospheric, funny, disturbing - all at once. Pulling out all the stops, Daniel Glatzel uses musical registers from varied cultural references and alarmingly crazy time signatures, all with a nonchalance which borders on the outrageous. Big-band swing is interrupted by free-jazz cacophonies, and excerpts from crime movie soundtracks are mixed with fanfares of imaginary film production companies. All of a sudden the blissfully elated mood will shift to its opposite and we find ourselves in the middle of oppressive, sprawling soundscapes where all is boundless
and wonderful.

The AMEO are 20 young musicians all from differing musical and cultural backgrounds - from Germany, France, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, Japan, Thailand, the Czech Republic and South Korea. As leader, composer, arranger and woodwind player Glatzel is responsible for the record's concept as well as for composition and arrangement. AMEO have already left Korean concert halls and Bavarian provincial backwaters astonished, and occasionally frightened, with their harmonic adventures and rhythmic madness.

They also work closely together with the Indie-Band The Notwist - live and on their newest album "The Devil, You & Me". That each individual member of the orchestra must bring with them stylistic openness and the highest possible joy of playing goes without saying. It's a debut that leaves you asking what can possibly follow it.

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.

John Coltrane live in Stuttgart 1961 & 1963

John Coltrane, Tenor & Soprano Saxophone
Eric Dolphy, Alto Saxophone, Flute (tracks 1 & 2)
McCoy Tyner, Piano
Jimmy Garrison, Bass
Elvin Jones, Drums

recorded live at Liederhalle Stuttgart, 1961 (tracks 1&2), November 1963 (tracks 3-5)



1. Everytime We Say Goodbye (Cole Porter)

2. My Favourite Things (Richard Rodgers)

3. The Promise (John Coltrane)

4. Mr. P.C. (John Coltrane)

5. I want to talk about you (Billy Eckstine) (fade out)

Coltrane formed his "classic" quartet in 1960, the following year marked his move from Atlantic to Impulse! by the release of "Africa Brass" and "Live at the Village Vanguard". Here I present two rare recordings done in Stuttgart by German Southwest Radio Station. While playing mostly standards in 1961 (together with Eric Dolphy), in 1963 the quartet played its own tunes.

Wolfgang Muthspiel 4tet live at Jazzherbst Salzburg 2008

Photo © Bernhard Ley

Wolfgang Muthspiel – g
Jean-Paul Brodbeck – p, key
Matthias Pichler – b
Andreas Pichler – dr

recorded live at Salzburger Jazzherbst 2008, November 3, 2008

1. Radiohead (Wolfgang Muthspiel)
2. Elegy (Jean-Paul Brodbeck)
3. Jackson´s Pocket (Wolfgang Muthspiel)
4. Lichtzelle (Wolfgang Muthspiel)/ Granada (Chris Cheek)

In October 2007, Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel invited Swiss pianist Jean-Paul Brodbeck to join his band and perform a new repertoire of songs Muthspiel had written for the quartet.
After a European trio tour they recorded the new music, which was released in April 2008 on Material Records. The new recording - entitled 'Earth Mountain' - is an extension of Muthspiel's work in the trio with Austrian twin brothers Matthias and Andreas Pichler. On 'Earth Mountain', Muthspiel and Brodbeck engage in a constant harmonic dialogue. The new pieces - at times leaning towards hip-hop and rock grooves - create a dense and earthy band sound, both inviting and daring. Add the fine rhythm section of the Pichler brothers on drums and bass, and compositions like 'Jackson's Pocket', 'Earth Mountain' or 'Radiohead' naturally unfold with an ecstatic energy.

Ron Carter Quintet live in Salzburg 2009

Ron Carter – b
Stephen Scott – p
Guilherme Monteiro – g
Payton Crossley - dr
Rolando Morales Martos - perc

recorded live at Salzburger Jazzherbst 2009, July 22, 2009

Medley:
- 595 (Ron Carter)
- Mr. Bow Tie (Ron Carter)
- Seven Steps To Heaven (Victor Feldman/ Miles Davis)

The Blind Boys of Alabama live at Jazzherbst Salzburg 2009

1. Down By The Riverside (trade.)
2. God Said It (McFadden/ Whitehead)
3. People Get Ready (Curtis Mayfield)
4. Spirit In The Sky (Norman Greenbaum)
5. Down In The Hole (Tom Waits)
6. Uncloudy Day (trad.)
7. There Will Be A Light (Ben Harper)

recorded live at Salzburger Jazzherbst, October 30, 2009

WDR Big Band featuring Cecile Verny: "Celebrating Billie Holiday"live at Jazzfestival Viersen 2009

Michael Abene - Conductor, Arrangements
Cecile Verny - Vocals
Heiner Wiberny, Matthias Erlewein, Olivier Peters, Paul Heller, Jens Neufang - Reeds
John Marshall, Wim Both, Andy Haderer, Rob Bruynen, Klaus Osterloh - Trumpets
Ludwig Nuss, Uli Plettendorff, Bernt Laukamp, Mattis Cederberg - Trombones
Paul Shigihara - Guitar; Frank Chastenier - Piano, Rhodes
John Goldsby - Bass; Hans Dekker - Drums

1. Lover Man
2. Them There Eyes
3. You Don´t Know What Love Is
4. What a Little Moonlight Can Do
5. You´ve Changed
6. Please Don´t Talk About Me
7. Fine And Mellow
8. I Cried For You

recorded live at Festhalle Viersen, September 18, 2009

Dominic Miller Project live at Jazz Baltica 2005

Dominic Miller - Guitar
Trilok Gurtu - Drums, Percussion
Mike Lindup - Piano, Voice
Nicolas Fiszman - Bass, Guitar
Till Brönner - Trumpet (Guest on 10)

recorded live at Große Konzertscheune, Salzau, July 3, 2005

1. Do You Want Me?
2. Baden
3. Eclipse
4. Rush Hour
5. Always
6. Air On A G-String
7. La Belle Sans Regrets
8. Ten Years
9. The Winner Takes It All
10. La Boca
11. Truco

This Buenos Aires-born guitarist, foremost known as a guitarist for Sting, needs no introduction. He is well known as a very virtuosic sideman and session musician, but meanwhile, Dominic Miller recorded several solo albums, one of them called "Third World". Some of the tunes of this record he played on this very special gig at Jazz Baltica featuring percussion master Trilok Gurtu, Belgian bass player Nicolas Fiszman and British pianist Mike Lindup. Maybe some purists won´t call it Jazz, but it´s really great music anyway.

Michel Portal & Yaron Herman live at WDR Jazz Cologne 2009

Michel Portal – clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano sax
Yaron Herman – piano

recorded live at WDR Funkhaus Köln, Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal, October 31, 2009

1. The Monk
2. Max – mon amour
3. Impro Rhythmique
4. Crescent
5. Track 5

Michel Portal, the grand seigneur of French Jazz meets the young lion Yaron Herman in this mostly improvised set at WDR jazz.cologne.