Jazz Articles about George Gruntz

George Gruntz, Gary Burton, Mathilde Grooss Viddal and More

by Jerome Wilson
August 23, 2023

This show features a mix of modern jazz out of America and Europe, including music by the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, Gary Burton, David S. Ware, and Mathilde Grooss Viddal. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 David S. Ware Quartet “Bliss Theme" from Great Bliss Vol. 1 (Silkheart) 1:00 Billy Harper “Quest in 3" from Somalia (Evidence) 10:00 ...

George Gruntz/Allen Ginsberg: Cosmopolitan Greetings

by William Grim
February 26, 2005

This album is a recording of a live performance of George Gruntz's so-called jazz opera Cosmopolitan Greetings, with texts taken from selected poems written by Allen Ginsberg. There is a bit of confusion here because Ginsberg's last volume of published poetry was also called Cosmopolitan Greetings ; however, the poems used for the opera come not from the book of the same name, but Ginsberg's earlier work.

The opera is supposed to be an impressionistic overview of the ...

George Gruntz: Mental Cruelty

by AAJ Staff
November 3, 2003

The original issue of George Gruntz's 1960 soundtrack to Mental Cruelty was as obscure as it gets. The 100 LPs printed at the time immediately disappeared into the abyss due to some corporate bullshit, leaving a gaping black hole at the start of the Swiss pianist's recording career and a severe market price for the record in the range of $1000.

Atavistic's appropriately titled Unheard Music Series imprint has picked this disc up for reissue, including all 18 ...

George Gruntz: Mental Cruelty

by Mark Corroto
October 23, 2003

Atavistic's Unheard Music Series, curated by John Corbett, has unearthed some obscure and curious music. So far most of it has been avant-garde and experimental sounds, pressed on vinyl years ago and hitherto available only to collectors. This session by pianist/orchestra leader George Gruntz is an exception to the UMS rule and proves itself to be an exceptional bop recording.

Swiss pianist George Gruntz was hired to create a soundtrack to the film Mental Cruelty, and taking ...

George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band: Merryteria

by Glenn Astarita
May 1, 2000

Pianist, bandleader George Gruntz names the various sections of his “Concert Jazz Band” after types of angels, as the liners allude to his personal sense of sanctification after all these years of performing and touring with an aggregate of jazz notables. With that and Gruntz’ seemingly cheerful persona, the title of his latest project - Merryteria once again conveys the bandleader’s bright outlook spoken through his contemporary and thoroughly hip arrangements!

Trombonist Dave Bargeron steers the band while imparting some ...

The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band: Liebermann -- Live at Jazz Fest Berlin

by Jack Bowers
December 1, 1999

So how many ways are there to say that the music on the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band’s album, Live at Jazz Fest Berlin, is on the whole pleasant but doesn’t really move me? Only one, I suppose — the music on the GGCJB’s album is on the whole pleasant but doesn’t really move me. Neither can I find much to censure. The orchestra is first–class, the arrangements (all except Rolf Liebermann’s five–part “Symphony for Jazz Ensemble” inscribed by Gruntz) ...