Moving On is a reminder to keep going regardless of what happens in life.
—Lukas Gabric
The Austrian tenor saxophonist and composer Lukas Gabric is releasing his new album Moving On, serving as a poignant reminder to persist amidst life's challenges. The album presents a collection of original compositions that blend emotional depth, virtuosity, and versatility. Moving On is also an impressive musical journey through personal experiences, global influences, and jazz traditions.
The CD's liner notes provide insights into the background of each piece on Moving On. The title track reflects the optimism, energy, and momentum required to constantly create something new. “Got to B" introduces a fresh twist, with jazz enthusiasts recognizing influences from the styles of Michael Brecker, Joshua Redman, and Eddie Harris. The piece “Sai Ma" pays homage to Gabric's experiences in Guangzhou, China, during the final phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. “9:29" emerged in response to the tragic murder of George Floyd, utilizing the power of music to convey feelings of outrage, incomprehension, sorrow, and anger. “Life on Hold" gently reminds us to seize the present and embrace the fullness of life without procrastination.
The album also showcases Gabric's engagement with jazz standards, notably applying Coltrane cycles to the timeless piece “Love Walked In." Additionally, it includes a spontaneous interpretation of “My One and Only Love," providing the listener with a gentle conclusion. The musicians featured on this album are introduced as exceptional talents and esteemed friends. John Arman, Matyas Bartha, Danny Ziemann, and Klemens Marktl bring their unique skills and artistic sensitivity to the recording, with Danny Ziemann's attention to detail and technical expertise standing out in production.
Dr. Lukas Gabric, a Henri SELMER Paris—and D’Addario Woodwinds Artist, has already established himself as a “master musician" (Thomas Gansch) with “breathtaking tenor virtuosity" (Joel Frahm). His international performances and educational activities have earned him recognition worldwide. As a winner of several prestigious competitions and a graduate of the Juilliard School, Gabric brings impressive musical expertise to Moving On.
One of my colleagues, an Erhu player, brought this staple piece of her instrument’s repertoire to try. I immediately took a liking to it and felt inspired to write an arrangement. “9:29" was written in response to the murder of George Floyd, who was killed by three police officers in broad daylight on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis. The murder caused global outrage and with “9:29” I aimed to express the injustice, incoherence, sadness, and aggression associated with it. Too often, we put our lives on self-imposed moratoria. “Life on Hold" is a reminder to keep living life to the fullest and not to postpone enjoyment to a potentially brighter future. I investigated hundreds of jazz standards to see whether Coltrane cycles could be applied to them without altering the original melody. I was exhilarated when I discovered that this is possible with the Gershwin classic “Love Walked In" and I immediately proceeded to write an arrangement.
I wrote “Dedication" for the bassist and friend Carl Jackson who asked me to write a contrafact on rhythm changes for him. “Riff for Griff" is a blues that is dedicated to the great saxophonist Johnny Griffin, whose melodic inventiveness and energy I tried to capture with this tune. Lastly, I choose to include a rather impromptu version of “My One and Only Love," to round things off with a gentle ballad. The musicians on this album are some of the best anywhere and my dear friends. John Arman’s musical lyricism, great time feel, and soulfulness shine through in even the most complex harmonic contexts. Mátyás Bartha’s supportive accompaniment and virtuosically elegant improvisations are informed by his breadth of knowledge of the jazz tradition and his refined musical sensibility. Danny Ziemann finds the right notes and grooves in any situation and his choices always serve the music. He is a fantastic soloist, whose improvisations are a joy to listen to. My longest musical associate, Klemens Marktl, is one of the most in-demand drummers on the European scene. His passion for the music can be heard in every moment of his playing.
I hope that you find joy in listening to this recording and that the music moves to you.
The CD's liner notes provide insights into the background of each piece on Moving On. The title track reflects the optimism, energy, and momentum required to constantly create something new. “Got to B" introduces a fresh twist, with jazz enthusiasts recognizing influences from the styles of Michael Brecker, Joshua Redman, and Eddie Harris. The piece “Sai Ma" pays homage to Gabric's experiences in Guangzhou, China, during the final phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. “9:29" emerged in response to the tragic murder of George Floyd, utilizing the power of music to convey feelings of outrage, incomprehension, sorrow, and anger. “Life on Hold" gently reminds us to seize the present and embrace the fullness of life without procrastination.
The album also showcases Gabric's engagement with jazz standards, notably applying Coltrane cycles to the timeless piece “Love Walked In." Additionally, it includes a spontaneous interpretation of “My One and Only Love," providing the listener with a gentle conclusion. The musicians featured on this album are introduced as exceptional talents and esteemed friends. John Arman, Matyas Bartha, Danny Ziemann, and Klemens Marktl bring their unique skills and artistic sensitivity to the recording, with Danny Ziemann's attention to detail and technical expertise standing out in production.
Dr. Lukas Gabric, a Henri SELMER Paris—and D’Addario Woodwinds Artist, has already established himself as a “master musician" (Thomas Gansch) with “breathtaking tenor virtuosity" (Joel Frahm). His international performances and educational activities have earned him recognition worldwide. As a winner of several prestigious competitions and a graduate of the Juilliard School, Gabric brings impressive musical expertise to Moving On.
Moving On Liner Notes
Moving On is a reminder to keep going regardless of what happens in life. With the title track, I wanted to write a piece with momentum and a certain soulfulness that’s also fun to blow on. As jazz musicians, we often find ourselves sitting in or jamming and one of the most frequently used vehicles for such situations is blues in B-flat. To switch things up a little I wrote “Got to B." Saxophone afficionados may notice that the first four measures are inspired by something that Michael Brecker might have played, the second four measures by Joshua Redman, and the last four by Eddie Harris. “Sai Ma" is a testament to my time in Guangzhou, China, where I worked during the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic.One of my colleagues, an Erhu player, brought this staple piece of her instrument’s repertoire to try. I immediately took a liking to it and felt inspired to write an arrangement. “9:29" was written in response to the murder of George Floyd, who was killed by three police officers in broad daylight on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis. The murder caused global outrage and with “9:29” I aimed to express the injustice, incoherence, sadness, and aggression associated with it. Too often, we put our lives on self-imposed moratoria. “Life on Hold" is a reminder to keep living life to the fullest and not to postpone enjoyment to a potentially brighter future. I investigated hundreds of jazz standards to see whether Coltrane cycles could be applied to them without altering the original melody. I was exhilarated when I discovered that this is possible with the Gershwin classic “Love Walked In" and I immediately proceeded to write an arrangement.
I wrote “Dedication" for the bassist and friend Carl Jackson who asked me to write a contrafact on rhythm changes for him. “Riff for Griff" is a blues that is dedicated to the great saxophonist Johnny Griffin, whose melodic inventiveness and energy I tried to capture with this tune. Lastly, I choose to include a rather impromptu version of “My One and Only Love," to round things off with a gentle ballad. The musicians on this album are some of the best anywhere and my dear friends. John Arman’s musical lyricism, great time feel, and soulfulness shine through in even the most complex harmonic contexts. Mátyás Bartha’s supportive accompaniment and virtuosically elegant improvisations are informed by his breadth of knowledge of the jazz tradition and his refined musical sensibility. Danny Ziemann finds the right notes and grooves in any situation and his choices always serve the music. He is a fantastic soloist, whose improvisations are a joy to listen to. My longest musical associate, Klemens Marktl, is one of the most in-demand drummers on the European scene. His passion for the music can be heard in every moment of his playing.
I hope that you find joy in listening to this recording and that the music moves to you.
