Jazz Articles about Irene Schweizer

Irene Schweizer & Gunter Sommer: Irene Schweizer & Gunter Sommer

by Glenn Astarita
October 1, 1999

One of several duet recordings featuring world class drummers/percussionists, pianist Irene Schweizer and free-jazz drummer Gunter Sommer take flight into the ozone with this 1987 live recording originally released on LP.

The scenery changes often through buoyant spirit along with an uncanny sense of direction, which is evident upon the opening moments of “Dresdener”. On “Verspielte Zeiten” Ms Schweizer employs classical structures and overtones combined with humor and wit. Here, the duo become slightly rambunctious as some of this elicits ...

Irene Schweizer & Louis Moholo: Irene Schweizer & Louis Moholo

by Glenn Astarita
September 1, 1999

Originally released on LP, the music for this recording was constructed and presented as a statement of sorts regarding South Africa’s political turmoil, namely the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela, Apartheid and so forth. Here, South African drummer Louis Moholo and the wonderful Swiss pianist Irene Schweizer perform a series of duets recorded live, 1986 at the International Jazzfestival in Zurich Switzerland. Ms Schweizer’s insurmountable aptitude and penchant for recording with estimable jazz drummers is well documented on LP & CD. ...

Irene Schweizer & Andrew Cyrille: Irene Schweizer & Andrew Cyrille

by Glenn Astarita
September 1, 1999

Irene Schweizer/Andrew Cyrille is yet another superb display of Irene Schweizer’s recorded duet performances with modern masters of the drums. Here, the brilliant Swiss based pianist performs alongside the incomparable Andrew Cyrille. Recorded live in 1988, Ms Schweizer and Mr. Cyrille grab your full fledged attention from the opening track or as they say in boxing – “the opening bell”. On “Smashing Napf” the two musicians engage in some hefty call and response dialogue as though they were taunting one ...