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Paul Heller
Florian Ross/WDR Big Band: Plans & Drawers
by Jack Bowers
While Plans & Drawers may seem an odd name for an album of big-band jazz, the fact is that German-born composer and arranger Florian Ross had no “plans" to record before the opportunity arose to produce a second album with his home country's world-class WDR Big Band Cologne, and many of his compositions had been consigned to “drawers" in his studio. Once the agreement was finalized, Ross reopened those drawers, plans were made, and Plans and Drawers was recorded in ...
Continue ReadingWDR Big Band featuring John Goldsby and Bob Mintzer: Big Band Bass
by Artur Moral
What better way to bid farewell to a long, fruitful relationship than with a mutual gift? That is the decision John Goldsby and the extraordinary WDR Big Band made after 30 years of intense collaboration. Extended partnerships are perhaps not too frequent in today's jazz landscape, even in the more conducive orchestral realm: well-known are the lengthy associations, uninterrupted and almost exclusive, of Harry Carney with Duke Ellington And His Orchestra (over 46 years!) or Freddie Green with the Count ...
Continue Reading3 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 ...
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Knife's Edge
From: RenderingsBy Paul Heller
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