Eberhard Weber: Positive Pragmatism

John Kelman

Senior Editor since 2004

With the realization that there will always be more music coming at him than he can keep up with, John wonders why anyone would think that jazz is dead or dying.

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Published: February 4, 2013

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But Weber maintains both a positive and pragmatic viewpoint: "If it happens, it happens. It was a nice life. And I had lots of good experiences, lots of fun. So I don't regret anything. If I could look down on me later—which of course I can't—I would say it was not so bad, what I did."

So with the next album more or less complete, what's next for Weber? "I do have about 100 solos, meaning about 15 hours of music altogether," he says. "I have listened through most of it, and as I said, I hated myself throughout the years when I played, but there must be a few other things which could be used. The technician once told me that he had another 400 tapes, but he moved in with a new girlfriend to a very humid house and tried to put on these old DAT cassettes. It turns out that there are cracks, and he believes that these 400 tapes are ruined. I asked him to try again, but I haven't contacted him lately, so I don't know whether he's been able to do anything or not.

"Who knows how long I'm going to live is the other question, of course; I'm 72—in a short while, 73—and that's a considerable age. But I'm vain enough to say that when I'm forced to do something, I'm sure that I will find something. I've no idea what that something I will find will be. I still believe in myself. As long as I can still think and talk, there will be something to come at some point."

Selected Discography

Eberhard Weber, Résumé (ECM, 2013)
Eberhard Weber, Colours (ECM, 2010)
Eberhard Weber, Stagers of a Long Journey (ECM, 2007)
Eberhard Weber, Endless Days (ECM, 2002)
Jan Garbarek, Rites (ECM, 1998)
Jan Garbarek, Visible World (ECM, 1996)
Eberhard Weber, Pendulum (ECM, 1993)
Jan Garbarek, I Took Up The Runes (ECM, 1990)
Eberhard Weber, Orchestra (ECM, 1988)
Eberhard Weber, Chorus (ECM, 1985)
Jan Garbarek Group, It's OK to listen to the gray voice (ECM, 1984)
Jan Garbarek Group, Wayfarer (ECM, 1983)
Eberhard Weber, Later That Evening (ECM, 1982)
Jan Garbarek Group, Paths, Prints (ECM, 1983)
Eberhard Weber Colours, Little Movements (ECM, 1980)
Eberhard Weber, Fluid Rustle (ECM, 1979)
Eberhard Weber Colours, Silent Feet (ECM, 1978)
Eberhard Weber, The Following Morning (ECM, 1977)
Gary Burton Quartet, Passengers (ECM, 1977)
Ralph Towner/Solstice, Sound and Shadows (ECM, 1977)
Eberhard Weber, Yellow Fields (ECM, 1976)
Ralph Towner, Solstice (ECM, 1975)
Eberhard Weber, The Colours of Chloë (ECM, 1974)
Gary Burton Quintet, Ring (ECM, 1974)