Gunter Heinz & Lou Grassi: Live In Wuppertal

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: January 1, 2002

New York City-based drummer/percussionist, Lou Grassi has been interrogating the modern jazz genre for quite some time, largely due to his ongoing “PoBand” aggregation. Grassi’s often-ferocious polyrhythmic attack is prominently highlighted during this pared down set featuring trombonist, Gunter Heinz, and special guest, guitarist Peter A. Worringer.

Simply put, Grassi and Heinz, engage on a musical seek and destroy mission. On this live outing recorded at a German venue, the duo intertwines general playfulness with varying levels of intensity as Heinz also utilizes his trombone as a vehicle for otherworldly effects. Consequently, the trombonist disseminates a series of growls, extended notes and groans while embarking upon multiphonic-like techniques and sonorous melodies. Meanwhile, Grassi provides a wide-ranging and satisfyingly disparate wall of sound. However, the fun really begins when guitarist, Peter A. Wollinger injects his abstract chord voicings, and subtly executed electronic effects into the scheme of things. Here, the trio surges forward with the deviousness of children disassembling (or reverse engineering) their toys. And despite the somewhat austere implications, the musicians convey a sense of good-cheer throughout the entire program.

Alea Records

Track Listing: 1.Danger On The Stairs 2.Look Before You Leap 3.One Of These Kinds 4.For Those Who Know 5.Watch These Steps 6.Wet Night 7.By Itself 8.Leaving Tomorrow

Personnel: Lou Grassi: percussion, drums

Record Label: Alea Records
Style: Modern Jazz