Michael Arbenz meets Andy Sheppard: From Bach to Ellington - Live

Recorded live at the Bird's Eye Jazz Club, Basel, Switzerland, in 2024, From Bach to Ellington—Live, has Swiss pianist Michael Arbenz and British saxophonist Andy Sheppard reinterpreting four of Duke Ellington's classics, together with two original pieces from Arbenz inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Arbenz came to All About Jazz's attention when, along with his brother Florian, he worked with Ron Carter on The Alpine Session (Self Produced, 2025). As part of the trio VEIN, Arbenz has released eight albums that feature classical works and jazz improvisation alongside original pieces, crafting a distinctive style. He is no stranger to Ellington's works; his acclaimed solo album Reflections of D (Self Produced, 2023), was a refined Ellington tribute.

Sheppard is one of the UK's most acclaimed jazz figures. A true craftsman, his distinctive sound has been successfully exported and found favour internationally. He has played and composed in a variety of settings, including solo, small band and orchestra. No stranger to collaboration, he has played and recorded across a variety of genres with artists as varied as singer-songwriter John Martyn and Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. Having played with Carla Bley, Gil Evans and George Russell, there is no doubting Sheppard's roots in the jazz tradition, making him the perfect foil for Arbenz's classically-based explorations.

The two met when collaborating with the Vein trio. Their shared history informs the ease with which they engage, as shown on the opening track, Ellington's "Melancholia." Arbenz's introduction leads to Sheppard's elegant and unhurried phrasing before the pianist follows with his own solo, teeming with gentle flourishes. The whole combination sounds intimate and relaxed.

There are two pieces written by Arbenz based on compositions by Bach. The first, "Psalm," inspired by Cantata BWV 146, has saxophone and piano weaving together before complex piano runs build with left-hand rhythmic drama, prior to Sheppard adding his own sprightly passage. The second piece, "Where It Springs Into Being," is inspired by "Prelude in C" from The Well-Tempered Clavier. Both musicians excel, especially Arbenz's harpsichord-like solo, but alongside the beauty of their solo performances, it is their combinations that elevate the track.

The Ellington tunes include a classy reading of "African Flower," where Sheppard's gentle, breathy sax never strays too far from the path but still extracts the maximum elegance from the track. "Reflections in D" features contemplative piano and Sheppard's extended saxophone notes and "Warm Valley" is appropriately full and languid.

Thanks to the excellent recording quality, every aspect of the duo's performance is captured. The two musicians have space to show their individual artistry, which is enhanced by their close-knit alliance. Using their shared language, they navigate a route between respect for the history of the pieces and current reinvention. There is a richness and sensitivity to their interaction that feels natural as they shift seamlessly through differing moods, enriching with subtle shifts of tone, making this an evocative and enjoyable live session.

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