Jazz Articles

Kristjan Randalu / Bodek Janke: Live

by Budd Kopman
April 30, 2008

Pianist Kristjan Randalu and drummer Bodek Janke have performed as a duo for more than twenty years, and quite naturally have developed an exceedingly close rapport. Live is a recording of the award ceremony concert for Randalu winning the 2007 Baden-Wurttemberg Jazz Prize. Coincidentally, Janke won the same prize in 2008. Each musician separately is highly energetic, inventive and full of good spirits. Together, they threaten to pull you out of your seat, put a smile on ...

Grupa Janke Randalu: Live

by Michael P. Gladstone
April 14, 2008

This release finds an interactive pianist and percussionist duo providing a stimulating program of jazz standards, classical and original material. Estonian-born pianist/composer Kristjan Randalu and Polish native/percussionist Bodek Janke collaborate on a variety of selections that reflect their twenty years of experience working together.

Randalu's opener, “Confidance," is a major source of attraction. This thirteen-minute composition begins with a lyrical ninety seconds from the pianist before the tempo increases and the percussion enters. The duo offers ...

Grupa Janke Randalu: Live

by Jerry D'Souza
March 24, 2008

Grupka Janke Randalu is the collaboration between pianist Kristjan Randalu and percussionist Bodek Janke (percussion). They have developed a compact rapport over the twenty years they have been playing together, apparent in the way they respond to each other, get into a conversation and take their music to a higher level by developing thoughts and impulses.

Randalu first studied classical music and picked up on jazz in Germany. He developed his jazz language in New York studying with several jazz ...