After the 1st day positive energy boost , the day two was looking even more impresive. There were two highlits appealing to me already in the program: My beloved Globe Unity Orchestra and the Aki Takase Duo act with Ingrid Laubrock. Unexpectedly a closing set on the main stage came as a most welcome challenge to me as well, but let’s do not get ahead of the story.
Berlin Jazz Fest 2016 : Chapter 1- The First Hit!
Here we are. This is a report from the first day of the festival weekend this year. As always there was a lot of great music and the great fun. Meeting with friends and interesting conversations with both: artists and visitors. When the music buzzes around and the heart rate goes up the magic happens. Jazz junkie like myself can stay alive as long as the sounds keep feeding back. And with a good hype one gets the good vibe, follow the write up below to find out more.
Klaus Gesing – Björn Meyer – Samuel Rohrer – amiira (realised on 10th of June 2016) Label: arjunamusic records / JAZZ, ELECTRONIC, NEW WAVE
When I heard amiira recording for the very first time it immediately stroke me. Swiss drummer Samuel Rohrer, was the only musician there I didn’t know much about. Later I found that he is also a label creator and owner.
Quick research back however did proof me wrong as I actually not only heard him before but even own two sessions with him being playing on. One is from one of my favourite young reed players in Germany, Daniel Erdmann – Sleeping with the Enemy. Another from his co-patriot pianist Colin Vallon – Vailleurs.
[ Grammy Award-Winner Bill Laurance releases Live at Union Chapel! ]
Album/DVD showcases sold out show with fellow Snarky Puppy members Michael League and Robert “Sput” Searight
Two-time Grammy-winner and founding member of Snarky Puppy Bill Laurance fulfilled a lifelong fantasy with his sold out show at the Union Chapel. He will share it with the world with the release of the album and DVD Live At Union Chapel on November 11th on Ground UP Music/Verve Label Group.
David Helbock Trio – Into the Mystic (realised on 26th of August 2016) Label:ACT Music 9833-2 / JAZZ, PIANO TRIO
Watching this ACT début for David Helbock I can see the same scenario over and over again. I’ve known this artist for 5 years and when he started to establish himself under Berliner Traumton label for which he made five recordings. But he wasn’t shy even before having being present on at least ten others under his own name all collectively. Two of those I had a pleasure to review before so I have seen some growing up process too.
Let’s jump Into the Mystic then. This trio is a “proper”piano trio with the rhythm section just like his last “Traumton Trio” was but with a small personal shift behind the drums. Completely opposite if compared to his previous Random Control Trio made with two brass-men.
[ Nonagram – Kinch’s creative gaze towards the abstract ]
Soweto Kinch’s restless inspiration seemingly knows no boundaries, and the multi-award winning saxophonist, band-leader, composer, rapper and radio host has applied his talents to a wide range of different styles and themes over the course of his career. Whether it’s the daily grind of inner city life (2006’s A Life in the Day of B19) or the seven deadly sins (2013’s The Legend of Mike Smith), Kinch can always be relied upon to delve deep into his source material and examine it from a fresh new angle.
[ Bob Dylan wins Nobel Literature Prize ! ]
This news really took me by surprise. This year the Nobel Literature Prize goes to an American rock legend: Bob Dylan. The first after-shock thoughts however bring to this choice more justice and certainly he is more the poet to me in general perception than a rock musician. Even this rock genre doesn’t really fit the picture in my humble opinion.
[October 2016 release on London based not applicable record label ]
Although this is their fist duo recording, trumpeter Tom Arthurs and electronic musician Sam Britton (AKA Isambard Khroustaliov) have collaborated in a number of different ensembles. Both in and out of the Not Applicable label/collective, over a period of at least ten years.
[ November 2016 release on Norwegian HUBRO label ]
The celebrated Norwegian composer, pianist and bandleader follows his three previous Hubro releases (the solo ‘Pianokammer’, the duo LP Brutter, and a collaboration with Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, ‘Untitled Arpeggios and Pulses’) with a new album for his principal performing group, the Christian Wallumrød Ensemble.
As well as offering continuities with the past – earlier versions of the Ensemble recorded five well-received albums for the ECM label, from 2001 to 2012 – the performance of the seven original compositions on ‘Kurzsam and Fulger‘ represents a significant refinement of Wallumrod’s methods:
[ Martin Taylor Celebrates 60th Birthday With Solo UK Tour ]
Martin Taylor Celebrates 60th Birthday With Solo UK Tour
Grammy-nominated guitarist, composer and educator Martin Taylor celebrates his 60th birthday and 45 years as a touring artist with a series of solo UK concerts in October. Kicking off in Fareham on Friday 14th October, Taylor will take to thirteen UK towns across the country including Fareham, London, New Milton, Colchester, Guildford, Whitby, Milton Keynes, Manchester, Dundee, Inverness, Lichfield and Uppingham.