Frederik Köster Quartet live at Birdland, Hamburg 2011

Frederik Köster - Trumpet, Flügelhorn

Tobias Hoffmann - Guitar

Robert Landfermann - Bass

Ralf Gessler - Drums

recorded live at Birdland, Hamburg, March 26, 2011

1. 3x211 (Köster)

2. Liebeslied (Köster)

3. 2. Juni (Köster)

4. Prayer (Köster)

Time is one of our world’s strangest phenomena: it has both physical size as well as being a philosophical construct, measurable by fine apparatus, yet barely captured by human experience. Frederik Köster has alsways been fascinated by „time“, by mind games such as „Minority Report“ as well as by the traces of contemporary history reaching up to our present.
Even his quartet’s debut was programmatically named „Constantly Moving“ and documented the first years of the band after it was founded in 2003. On the follow-up album “Zeichen der Zeit” Signs of Time (2009) the Frederik Köster Quartet adopted a position of its own using an outspoken mixture of honest rock guitar and elastic jazz trumpet, delightful improvisation and songwriter storyteller qualities. “This is the band as it sounds today and it includes all our influences, the signs of the present times and the past times”, the bandleader explains. And the signs of the times are looking good for Frederik Köster. In 2009 he received - as a soloist as well as his quartet - the New German Jazz Award, and in 2010 the ECHO and the WDR Jazz Awards. The third album of the band now follows, developed as a constant “work in progress”: “Momentaufnahme (Snapshot)”.

Roy Ayers live in Basel 2010

Roy Ayers, vocals, vibes, synth

Donald Nicks, bass

Troy Miller, drums

Ray Gaskins Jr., alto saxophone, keyboards, vocals

John Pressley, vocals

Mark Adams, keyboards

1. Don´t Stop The Feeling

2. We Live In Brooklyn

3. No Stranger to Love

4. Can´t You See Me/  Running Away/  Evolution

5. Everybody Love´s The Sunshine

6. Sugar

Vibraphonist/vocalist Roy Ayers is among the best-known, most loved and respected jazz/R&B artist on the music-scene today.
Now in his fourth decade in the music business, Ayers, known as the Godfather of Neo-soul, continues to bridge the gap between generations of music lovers. In the 60’s he was an award-winning jazz vibraphonist, and transformed into a popular R&B band leader in the 70's/80's. Today, the dynamic music man is an iconic figure still in great demand and whose music industry heavyweights, including Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest, Tupac and Ice Cube.
Ayers recently recorded with hip hop artist Talib Kweli (produced by Kanye West) and jazz/R&B singer Wil Downing. His solo album "Mahogany Vibe" was released in 2004.
Many of Ayers' songs including: “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”,”Searchin”, Running Away” have been frequently sampled and remixed by DJ’s worldwide.

Jack DeJohnette Group live at NDR 2011

Jack DeJohnette (dr/melodica)
Rudresh Mahantappa (as)
George Colligan (p/ keys/ tp)
Dave Fiuczynski (git)
Jerome Harris (b, voice)
recorded live at Rolf- Liebermann-Studio, Hamburg, May 19, 2011

1. Introduction by Jack DeJohnette - One For Eric
2. Soulful Ballad
3. Blue
4. Tango Africaine

Born in Chicago in 1942, Grammy^® winner Jack DeJohnette is widely regarded as one of jazz music's greatest drummers.  Music appreciation flourished in DeJohnette's family.  He studied classical piano from age four until fourteen, before beginning to play drums with his high school concert band and taking private piano lessons at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. In 1966, he drummed alongside Rashied Ali in the John Coltrane Quintet.  International recognition came with his tenure in the Charles Lloyd Quartet, one of the first jazz groups to receive cross-over attention, which also alerted the world to Keith Jarrett's skills.

Jack DeJohnette has collaborated with most major figures in jazz history.  Some of the great talents he has worked with are John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Sun Ra, Jackie McLean, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Keith Jarrett, Chet Baker, George Benson, Stanley Turrentine, Ron Carter, Lee Morgan, Charles Lloyd, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Abbey Lincoln, Betty Carter and Eddie Harris, who is responsible for convincing DeJohnette to stick with drums because he heard DeJohnette's natural talent.

It was in 1968 that DeJohnette joined Miles Davis's group in time for the epochal upheaval marked by Bitches Brew, an album that changed the direction of jazz.  In his autobiography, Miles Davis said, "Jack DeJohnette gave me a deep groove that I just loved to play over."  Jarrett soon followed DeJohnette into the Davis group, and the drummer's first ECM recording, the duet Rutya and Daitya was made in 1971.  Working with Miles also brought about collaborations with John McLaughlin, Chick Corea and Dave Holland.

His latest project is The Jack DeJohnette Group, featuring Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto saxophone, David Fiuczynski on double-neck guitar, George Colligan on keyboards and piano, and long-time associate Jerome Harris on electric and acoustic bass guitars.  The Group has toured North America and Europe in 2010 and will record and tour in 2011. They released a first album "live at Yoshi´s" this year

Terence Blanchard Quintet live at London JazzFestival 2010

Terence Blanchard - Trumpet
Brice Winston - Tenor Sax
Fabian Almazan - Piano
Ben Williams - Bass
Kendrick Scott - Drums

recorded at The Barbican, London, as part of the London Jazz Festival 2010, on 15th November 2010

1. Bass: Choices
2. A Time To Spare
3. Band: Choices
4. Wander Wonder
5. Bounce

As an Art Blakey alumnus, Blanchard learnt the craft of the bandleader early on. With his own group he has a similar concept to Blakey, giving youg lions a context to work their socks off, and to develop. There was one very new player, the ex-Julliard bassist Ben Williams. Blanchard pointed this out he was still relying on the written music. The inference was clear: Blanchard has the clear expectation that, like the others, he should quickly rise to the challenge of getting to know every single tricky contour of Blanchard's compositions. The other band members were both impressive - tenor player Brice Winston and young Cuban pianist Fabian Almazan.
Blanchard's clearly intense work with his band has another purpose too. He responds, deeply, sincerely to developments in society,and acts as the public conscience. He uses recorded words written and spoken by Cornel West. The quintet wraps its work around the compelling speech-rhythms and ideas. Listeners were impressed in the summer by Blanchard's depth and sincerity in "Choices", a response to Katrina. Blanchard as a musician and as a citizen pursues serious goals, and has a healthy disregard for tabloid headlines and throwaway culture.  

Robert Glasper Trio live at London Jazzfestival 2010

Robert Glasper, piano

Derrick Hodge, bass

Mark Colenburg, drums

recorded live at Barbican Hall, November 14th 2010

1. Rise and Shine/ I Have A Dream/  Smells Like Teen Spirit/ FTB

(Robert Glasper/ Herbie Hancock/ Kurt Cobain/ Robert Glasper)

2. Canvas (Robert Glasper)

"It was a very special set indeed. The high point came with the arrival onstage of Glasper's regular drummer Chris "Daddy" Dave, a fireball of energy, with Terence Blanchard for the final number of the set, Glasper's composition Canvas. Glasper had been working on it with the East London Creative Jazz Orchestra, and they were all present in the audience, and were clearly appreciative.

But if that tune stayed uppermost in the mind afterwards, it shouldn't in any way devalue what had gone before. For the main part of the set the drum chair had been occupied by Mark Colenburg. Colenburg is a very different drummer from Chris Dave. Colenburg is more cerebral, more calculating, but a remarkable player.

Colenburg's influence on the constantly watchful and attentive Glasper was to take him off in very different and fascinating directions. Glasper is known for incorporating hip hop and gospel. But on the evidence of last night, they are just a small part of the stylistic palette which he can summon up. He has an internalized memory and an imagination into which he can dig very deep and find resources from surprising places - I thought I heard takes on the cult piano minimalists and texturalists Conlon Nancarrow and Terry Riley. Then there was a very fine moment when the band pulled the audience's ears in, and settled into a compelling, assured, anthemic groove - in what sounded like 11/8 time. At another moment the audience were quick to pick up that the trio had found its way cleverly into Nirvana's Teen Spirit. But in this context, with this drummer it was hushed, seen through the prism of Keith Jarrett. This was an intensely lyical take on the tune which was so quiet, I could hear the tick of my neighbour's watch.

A special word too about Derrick Hodge. Hodge thinks and hears low. His sound is big, his presence imposing yet genial. He had one wonderful feature using the open E string as a pedal note. Think Ron Carter, only with more of a sense of mischief." - Review of this concert on londonjazz.blogspot.com
Robert Glasper´s most recent album "Double Booked" was released on Blue Note in 2009.

 

The Bad Plus Meets Django Bates live at London Jazz Festival 2010

Ethan Iverson (piano)
Reid Anderson (bass)
Dave King (drums)
Django Bates (Eb horn, electric piano, vocals and effects)
Recorded at Kings Place during the London Jazz Festival 2010,  November 20, 2010

Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV a and b

Here we present a special collaboration between US alt-jazz trio The Bad Plus and UK maverick composer and bandleader Django Bates. Known for their deconstructions of pop hits, The Bad Plus have developed a fresh approach to the piano trio line up over the last decade. One of their musical inspirations is the UK musician Django Bates, particularly his work with the English big band Loose Tubes and his own group Delightful Precipice. This concert brings them together for the first time. Recorded at Kings Place during the London Jazz Festival 2010.
NEVER STOP is the first album by The Bad Plus to consist entirely of originals. Recorded in Minnesota with a live, stripped-down sound, NEVER STOP showcases the band's range as well as its three distinct personalities. From gentle and melodic to fierce and abstract, from swing to 80's techno, NEVER STOP is tied together by a group sound that embraces diversity as strength. Ten years in, The Bad Plus is here to stay.

Nils Petter Molvaer Trio live at Punktfestival Kristiansand 2010

Nils Petter Molvaer - Trumpet
Stian Westerhus - Guitar
Audun Kleive - Drums

recorded live at Punktfestival Kristiansand/Norway, September 4, 2010

Improvised Set, Part 1
Improvised Set, Part 2

Since entering the music scene in the late 90ies Nils Petter Molvaer has been one of the innovators of European jazz melting jazz influences with electronic, ambient and house, and creating unique and dramatic soundscapes of deep intensity – one of the reasons why he has also been very much sought after to compose for film, movies and advertising.

Hamada is Nils Petter Molvaer´s most angry and darkest album up to date with climaxes in the songs “Friction” and “Cruel Altitude” where he and his fellow musicians, Eivind Aarset (g) and Audun Kleive (dr), leave the paths of ambient, electronica and improvisation and get the axe out to poach in the fields of indie- and 70ies-prog-rock, before they cool it down to end the album on a more conciliatory note.

Jan Bang "...And Poppies From Kandahar" live at Punktfestival Kristiansand 2010

Jan Bang, Erik Honoré - Electronics, Samples
Jon Hassell, Arve Henriksen - Trumpets, Electronics
Lars Danielsson - Bass
Sidsel Endresen - Voclas
recorded live at Punktfestival Kristiansand/Norway, September 3, 2010

1. The Drug Mule/ Self Injury (Jan Bang/ Arve Henriksen)
2. ...and Poppies from Kandahar Suite (The Midwive´s Dilemma/ Who Grooms The Child?/ Passport Control) (Jan Bang)

…And Poppies From Kandahar, Jan Bang’s first album under his own name, evokes a powerful sense of place – but it’s not a place you would recognize, or ever expect to find.  A descendent of Jon Hassell’s “fourth world” concept, it sketches scenes of struggle and malice, in locales both primitive and urbane.   As a producer, Bang stitches it together like a patchwork atlas and then makes the seams disappear: live recordings and studio constructions, old samples and new solos come together to form an exquisite whole.
Bang recruits a cast of collaborators from Norway and beyond, who will be familiar to anyone who’s followed his recent productions: trumpeter and vocalist Arve Henriksen, whose albums Cartography and Chiaroscuro were co-produced by Bang; the stunning vocalist Sidsel Endresen, whose captivating turn on “The Midwife’s Dilemma” grows out of a moan and a half-croak; and samadhisound founder David Sylvian, who wrote the titles for each piece and the album as a whole, setting these abstract scenes in a disruptive context.
This is music of the world, but it’s rooted in Kristiansand, Norway, Bang’s home and workplace.  His musical career began in the late ‘80s, when he cut his first albums in a synth-and-vocals duo with Erik  Honoré.  By the ‘90s he was a producer of Norwegian pop acts, when pianist Bugge Wesseltoft invited him on stage with an improvising ensemble.  “I had the idea of using musicians as ‘input’ to my sampler instead of vinyl,” recalls Bang.  “We called it ‘live sampling.’ I found it appealing to work in a live situation with improvised music where things change at the blink of an eye …  .  I was able to work in past, present and future, according to what the other musicians were doing and how they reacted to what I was throwing back into the mix.”

Joshua Redman Trio live in Memmingen 2011

Joshua Redman, Tenor and Soprano Saxophones

Reuben Rogers, Bass

Gregory Hutchinson, Drums

recorded live at Kaminwerk, Memmingen, February 15, 2011

1. Blackbird / Bye bye blackbird (John Lennon/Paul McCartney/Ray Henderson)

2. Allegretto, 2. Satz, Sinfonie Nr. 7 (Ludwig van Beethoven)

3. Zarafah (Joshua Redman)

4. God put a smile upon your face (Guy Berryman/Jon Buckland/Will Champion/Chris Martin)

5. Trinkle Tinkle (Thelonious Monk)

On Compass, Joshua Redman takes the concept of “playing trio” in surprising new directions. The title of his third Nonesuch disc evokes navigation, travel, a desire to find one’s bearings. Redman confirms, “This album was a journey for me, a further exploration of the trio format. Musically, it’s an expansion on, and extension of, Back East,” his acclaimed 2007 set and his first studio recording with an acoustic trio.

The saxophonist recorded Compass during three days in March ‘08 at Avatar Studio in New York City, and it was a bracing leap into the unknown for him. As Redman admits, with a laugh, “Sometimes I’m guilty, with my recordings, of having too clear a plan. This time I said, ‘Hey, I just have to let go.’ If I try to plan it, it’s not going to work, so I’ll just think about some tunes that we could do with everybody together, we’ll get in the studio and see how it goes. There was a real kind of release for me with this project, an embrace of the unfamiliar.”

Kurt Elling live in Burghausen 2011 - UPDATE!

Kurt Elling, Vocals
John McLean, Guitar
Laurence Hobgood, Piano
Harish Raghavan, Bass
Ulysses Owens, Drums

Recorded live at Wackerhalle Burghausen, March 26, 2011


1. Stepping Out
2. Dedicated to you (Saul Chaplin/Sammy Cahn/Hyman Zaret)
3. Samurai Cowboy (Mark Johnson/Kurt Elling)
4. Norwegian Wood (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
5. Matte Kudasai (Adrian Belew/Bill Bruford/Robert Fripp/Tony Levin)
6. The Waking (Rob Amster/Kurt Elling /Theodore Roethke)
7. After the love has gone (David Foster/Jay Graydon/Bill Champlin)
8. Golden lady (Stevie Wonder)
9. Nicht wandle, mein Licht (Johannes Brahms)

The New York Times is one of numerous publications to declare that Kurt Elling is the “standout male vocalist of our time,” and The Gate, Elling’s follow-up to his Grammy-winning Dedicated to You, is among his strongest albums—and perhaps the finest of his career.
Produced by Don Was (Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan), The Gate is a musical collection in which boundaries cease to exist, a sensibility enhanced by producer Don Was, who had expressed the desire to work with Elling—an opportunity which Elling found irresistible.
“I first heard Kurt on the local jazz station and was knocked out by his exotic blend of soul, technique, intelligence and charismatic hipness,” Was recalls. “He made this diverse collection of songs his own—and we had a blast.”
"What Don brought to this project," said Elling, "was his love of music and musicians, and a confidence that liberated us from all concern. He is the consummate producer and this was an extraordinary experience—my favorite in a studio.”
The Gate points Elling in a new and satisfyingly emotional direction. He has somehow found a way to make a deeply personal statement out of the music of King Crimson, Joe Jackson, Stevie Wonder and the Beatles—in addition to providing a new and vibrant understanding of Miles Davis, Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock.

Anderson-Bennink-Möbus-Glerum-van Kemenade live at Jazzfest Berlin 2010

Paul van Kemenade alto sax
Ray Anderson trombone
Frank Möbus guitar
Ernst Glerum bass
Han Bennink drums
recorded live at Jazzclub Quasimodo, November 6, 2010

1. Who is in charge? (Paul van Kemenade)
2. Petshop (Frank Möbus)
3. Silver Nichols (Ernst Glerum)
4. Close Enough (Paul van Kemenade)
5. As Yet
6. Tune for N (Paul van Kemanade; Ray Anderson)
7. Song for Che (Charlie Haden)
8. Funkalific (Ray Anderson)

Alto saxophonist Paul van Kemenade, a major contributor to Dutch Jazz since the early 80s, doesn’t give a damn about formats or conventions. For 25 years, he has been a free-thinker, suspending the divisions between classical music, pop and folklore with his regular quintet.
With Ray Anderson, Frank Möbus, Ernst Glerum und Han Bennink he renders these intentions into a global framework in which American and European influences, modern traditions and legacy avant-gardisms are bundled into a power pack. The expressive fire and the individualism of both his groups promise pure adrenaline.

Chick Corea Akoustic Band live in Stuttgart 1988

Chick Corea, piano

John Patitucci, bass

Tom Brechtlein, drums

recorded live at Liederhalle Stuttgart during Jazzgipfel 1988, July 13, 1988

1. Summer Night

2. Quartet No.1

3. Quartet No.3

4. Quartet No.2 Part I and II

A logical next step in light of the tremendous worldwide response to the Elektric Band's innovative and forward-thinking compositions, the Akoustic Band was an acoustic trio including Chick on piano, John Patitucci on upright bass, and Dave Weckl on drums.
During the height of the Elektric Band's early years, Chick was encouraged by fans and promoters to form a touring acoustic group. In the late '90s, it had been quite some time since Chick played in a trio. The band recorded two records - 1989's Akoustic Band and 1991's Alive, both on GRP.
The Grammy Award winning Akoustic Band was the ensemble's only studio record. A combination of standards and original music, it brought the Elektric Band's modern and precise executions to the acoustic trio concept - but with plenty of chemistry and a high degree of improvisation.

Chick Corea & Gary Burton live at Berliner Jazztage 1979

Chick Corea (p)

Gary Burton (vib)

Recorded live at Berliner Jazztage, Philharmonie Berlin, November 2, 1979

1. Falling Grace (Steve Swallow) 04:56

2. Mirror Mirror (Chick Corea)  05:36

3. Song to Gayle (Chick Corea) 07:24

4. Children's Song Nr. 1 (Chick Corea) 01:43

5. Children's Song Nr. 2 (Chick Corea) 00:47

6. Children's Song Nr. 15 (Chick Corea) 01:03

7. Children's Song Nr. 5 (Chick Corea) 01:02

8. Children's Song Nr. 6 (Chick Corea) 01:48

9. Señor Mouse (Chick Corea) 10:01

10. Duet Suite (Chick Corea) 12:00

Vibraphonist Gary Burton and pianist Chick Corea had first recorded together in 1972 for Crystal Silence (released under Corea's name). Six years later, they teamed up for renditions of two Steve Swallow tunes, plus Corea's lengthy "Duet Suite," four of his sketchy "Children's Songs," "Song to Gayle" and his classic "La Fiesta", released on the 1979 ECM album "Duet". This subtle set finds Burton and Corea consistently inspiring each other through melodic and very spontaneous improvising. Well worth a close listen.

Omar Hakim live at Leverkusener Jazztage 2010

Chieli Minnucci (guitar)

Jerry Brooks (bass)

Bobby Francheschini (sax)

Scott Tibbs (keys)

Omar Hakim (drums)

recorded live at Forum, Leverkusen, November 11, 2010

1. Amethyst Secrets

2. Sita´s Dance

3. Molasses Run

4. In The Arms Of Dhyan

5. Listen Up!

6. Constructive Criticism

Widely acclaimed for his versatility, technological prowess and groove, Omar Hakim is one of the most successful drummers and session men of the past thirty-five years. He has collaborated with artists ranging from Miles Davis to Madonna, and has left his imprint on hundreds recordings including several under his own name.
Born in New York City to a musical family, Omar began playing the drums at age 5. At the age of ten, he was performing publicly with his father Hasan Hakim, a trombone veteran of the Duke Ellington and Count Basie bands. This period formulated Omar’s traditional and improvisational jazz drumming techniques, and built a strong foundation for his unique drumming style. His father’s friendship with John Coltrane enabled young Omar spend time with Elvin Jones and Art Blakey.
After seeing Omar’s versatility, Mike Manieri hired him to play in his band Steps Ahead in 1980. He went on to record and tour with Gil Evans Big Band, David Sanborn, Patti Labelle and many others. Soon after, he filled in for a tour of the groundbreaking fusion band “Weather Report”, a job he would keep permanently until the band’s breakup in 1985. In addition to the three albums he recorded with Weather Report, he also landed a gig playing on David Bowie's 1983 return to the American pop charts, “Let's Dance”.
His early successes led to many more high profile engagements and by the end of the 1980s, Omar had performed on landmark recordings with artists such as Miles Davis (Tutu, Music from Siesta), Dire Straits (Brother in Arms, Money for Nothing) and Sting (Dream of the Blue Turtles, and the popular “Rockumentary” movie Bring on the Night). 

Building on these successes, in 1989 he even found time to produce and release his first solo album, Rhythm Deep, which earned him his first Grammy nomination. He was also a founding member of the Jazz Super Band “Urban Knights” along with Ramsey Lewis, Grover Washington Jr. and bassist Victor Bailey. The band featured his songwriting and vocal skills.

Check out Omar’s new project “The Trio of OZ” w/Rachel Z on Piano!

Victor Bailey Band live at Leverkusener Jazztage 2010

Victor Bailey, bass, vocals

Poogie Bell, drums

Peter Horvath, keyboards

Casey Benjamin, soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, keyboards, vocals

recorded live at Forum Leverkusen, November 13, 2010

1. Graham Cracker

2. Low Blow

3. Introduction of the band/ Quiet Afternoon (Stanley Clarke, arr. Poogie Bell)

4. Kid Logic

5. How Deep Is Your Love

Victor Bailey, already hailed as one of the world's greatest bass players as a teenager, stormed the music scene back in the early eighties when, as a nineteen year old fresh out of school he joined the innovative jazz fusion giants, Weather Report. He immediately became a major player on the world music scene.

He was also a member of another jazz fusion innovator, the legendary band Steps Ahead. As a studio musician he has appeared on over one thousand recordings. Those recordings range from Joe Zawinul to LL Cool J to Mary J Blige. As a bassist he has appeared with an astounding array of artists from all genres, such as Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Micheal Brecker and The Joe Zawinul Syndicate. During the nineties he took a huge leap into the pop world as bassist for megastar Madonna.

He has now released three highly acclaimed solo records "Low Blow", "That's Right" and "Bottom's Up" which one major music magazine called arguably the best solo record ever by a bass guitarist. He is currently residing in Brooklyn New York. He is touring as a leader, working with the trio CBW, which features Larry Coryell on guitar and Lenny White drums. And he is constantly busy writing for various movie and television projects.