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Paul Heller
3 Cohens, WDB Big Band: Interaction

by Angelo Leonardi
A dieci anni di distanza dalla loro ultima collaborazione discografica, Yuval, Anat e Avishai Cohen tornano con quest'album live, che documenta il concerto dato con la WDR Big Band il 16 giugno 2022 alla Filarmonica di Colonia. Altra figura centrale dell'evento è Oded Lev-Ari, che ha scritto le partiture e diretto l'orchestra. Oded collabora con i Cohen sin dagli anni in cui tutti studiavano a Tel-Aviv. Anche se suonano assieme dall'adolescenza, il sodalizio professionale dei tre fratelli è ...
Continue ReadingThe 3 Cohens: Interaction

by Mike Jurkovic
As a thriving collective, the 3 Cohens have recorded four outstanding studio albums over the first quarter of the 21st century: the self-produced One (2003), 2007's Braid, 2011's Family and 2013's Tightrope, (last three released by Anzic Records, the label founded by clarinetist Anat Cohen with kindred-spirit producer-collaborator Oded Lev-Ari). Dipping, darting, diving, the 3 Cohens have crisscrossed the global stage, bringing their joyful high-flying interplay to Brazil, New York, Europe and Australia. Searing, swerving and soaring, trumpeter Avishai Cohen's revved-up swing testament, ...
Continue ReadingWDR Big Band: Bluegrass

by Jack Bowers
Violinist Darol Anger literally had a dream, one in which he was performing his bluegrass music not with the David Grisman Quintet or another small group but in front of a full-fledged big band--and in Germany, of all places. Even though it was a dream he thought would never come true, it was so vivid and tantalizing that Anger shared it with his longtime friend and musical colleague, mandolinist Mike Marshall, who agreed that it was rather far-fetched but nonetheless ...
Continue ReadingJulian & Roman Wasserfuhr: Safe Place

by Neil Duggan
There is a place where jazz, classical and chamber music converge and it is home to German brothers Julian & Roman Wasserfuhr. Trumpeter Julian and pianist Roman, both outstanding musicians, have been releasing albums on the ACT Music label since 2006 and captivating global listeners with their distinctive approach. Their compositions are both rigorously crafted and hauntingly emotional, creating an enveloping soundscape that defies easy categorisation. They are joined by Jorg Brinkmann, one of Europe's most celebrated cellists, ...
Continue ReadingMarshall Gilkes: LifeSongs

by Dan Bilawsky
A sojourn in the city of Cologne is akin to a homecoming for Marshall Gilkes. The lauded trombonist spent four memorable years in that cultural hub beside the Rhine, making his mark within the ranks of the WDR Big Band's brass section, and his departure in December of 2013 did nothing to dampen his love for the region and the tremendous fellow feeling binding him to his colleagues. Illustrating this point, one month later Gilkes returned for a proper farewell ...
Continue ReadingChuck Owen: Renderings

by Angelo Leonardi
Nato dalla collaborazione tra la WDR Big Band e Chuck Owen, Renderings conferma quest'ultimo ai vertici dell'orchestrazione mainstream contemporanea e l'orchestra tedesca l'autorevole e avvincente ensemble che sappiamo. L'idea del progetto nasce quando la splendida sassofonista della big band, Karolina Strassmayer, ha chiesto a Chuck di arrangiare una sua composizione, stimolando il bandleader a impegnarsi in un ampio lavoro con l'orchestra di Colonia. Impegni personali e circostanze varie (tra cui la pandemia) hanno ostacolato il progetto, che ...
Continue ReadingMarshall Gilkes and WDR Big Band: Life Songs

by Jack Bowers
Maryland-born trombonist Marshall Gilkes, who spends much of his time working in and around various jazz bases in North America, returns to his second" home, Cologne, Germany, for Life Songs, his eighth album as leader and third with his former employer, Cologne's world-class WDR Big Band. Gilkes spent the years 2010-13 in the WDR trombone section, shortly before he and the ensemble released the widely praised albums Koln (Alternate Side, 2015) and Always Forward (Alternate Side, 2018). ...
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Knife's Edge
From: RenderingsBy Paul Heller