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Stephan Diethelm

About Me

A mellow voice and cool sounds. LYN LEON provide both. In their suitcase they're also carrying their new CD GLASS LOUNGE. In this lounge time and space are forgotten - letting oneself sink into a chair and get carried along by the musical current is the slogan. The trance-engendering sweetness springs from singer Carolyn Leonhart's vocal artistry. At once bewitchingly lascivious and dynamically energetic she sings stories of passing passions and tender love-tides. Yet more fascination is in the intricate sound patterns and the moving and, at times, trendy beats. In this way the lounge presents itself in an ever-changing acoustic d�r. The result, however, are always sophisticated sounds of surreal beauty.

There is no classical band-history they can offer; Lyn Leon are far from being ordinary anyway. There is, for one, vocalist Carolyn Leonhart from New York. Her home are the clubs of that world capital, jazz and pop having been laid in her cradle. And then there are her two accompanying musicians, Stephan Diethelm and Matthias Eser. The two percussionists live in the Swiss 'Mittelland', had had classical training and have since played themselves through virtually all world rhythms. All the more exciting will it be when the three team up - musically.

With glass to new sounds 'Soft, unfamiliar music of tender beauty,' jazz critic Christian Rentsch described the result in the Tages-Anzeiger. With Lyn Leon, singing, percussion and sounds produce a smooth blend of remarkable musical artistry. The atmosphere is relaxed, the songs are melodious and catchy. Despite its calm and mellow sound texture their new CD Glass Lounge comes with some neat if not to say respectable pop grooves. First there is Carolyn Leonhart's warm voice. At once bewitchingly lascivious and dynamically energetic she sings stories of passing passions and tender love-tides. Then there are the sophisticated sounds that take us away to the realms of melancholy. They mainly stem from instruments made of glass. So, the rubbing of wine glasses creates a kind of floating singing, while glass-marimbas surprise with bright sounds. Many of the instruments used by the musicians have been specially designed and developed in co-operation with the glass-blowing works at Hergiswil The glass as material, however, remains in the background, it just provides the basis for a new sound.

Singer takes home Grammy awards Behind the seeming lightness lies hidden what may be called a profound musical skill. In recent years, the two percussionists Stephan Diethelm and Matthias Eser have again and again attracted wide attention with outstanding musical projects, e.g. when working with the classical flutist Matthias Ziegler or with jazz pianist Christoph Baumann. The New Yorker singer Carolyn Leonhart, for her part, has been granted an honour of the highest order in pop music: With the Band Steely Dan she has been awarded no less than three Grammies this year. For their current live performances the three musicians are supported by bass-player Michael Chylewski und drummer Kaspar Rast - both equally renowned in our musical landscape. Together they fill the Glass Lounge with relaxed excitement.

What once began will go on Stephan Diethelm and Matthias have been using glass in their music for quite some time now. Eight years ago, as members of the Swiss Percussion Ensemble and with the help of the glass-blowing works at Hergiswil, the two had put together a large number and range of musical instruments from glass objects. The programme they had at the time, Gravitational Sound - Shimmering Force, was followed three years ago by the CD Glass Songs, enhanced by the voice of Carolyn Leonhart. And now, under the name of Lyn Leon the project has, for the time being at least, reached the end of this development. The new CD is the consistent continuation of Glass Songs, yet Glass Lounge does still lead in a new direction - and presents songs of almost surreal beauty.'