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Flutist/Composer Christian Artmann Reconvenes His Long-standing Quintet Of Laszlo Gardony, Jeff Denson, & Yoron Israel, Plus Guest Vocalist Elena McEntire, For Two Bay Area Shows November 7 & 8
Not only are these players some of my very favorite musicians in the world, but there are deep connections running through the band--a special, joyous chemistry that is hard to find nowadays where long-term touring bands have become the exception rather than the norm.
—Christian Artmann
The acclaimed San Francisco-based flutist, composer, and bandleader Christian Artmann will be appearing with his quintet at two upcoming Bay Area engagements: Meyhouse Jazz in Palo Alto, on Saturday, November 7, and Keys Jazz Bistro in San Francisco, Sunday, November 8.
Coming on the heels of an October concert at Berklee College of Music in Boston with the Laszlo Gardony Quintet, Artmann will be joined by pianist Laszlo Gardony, bassist Jeff Denson, drummer Yoron Israel, and vocalist Elena McEntire. The shows are a reunion for the longtime collaborators and provide an opportunity to introduce new material, which Artmann plans to record in early 2027.
“Not only are these players some of my very favorite musicians in the world,” says Artmann, “but there are deep connections running through the band—a special, joyous chemistry that is hard to find nowadays where long-term touring bands have become the exception rather than the norm. I used to study composition and improvisation with Laszlo, and out of that teacher-student relationship developed a mentorship, a friendship,” and then, about 10 years ago, a professional association as colleagues onstage and in the recording studio.
“Laszlo and Yoron have been performing and recording together for a couple of decades,” adds Artmann, “as part of the amazing Laszlo Gardony Trio and elsewhere. Together with Jeff, we all have Berklee connections one way or another. Jeff, Laszlo, and I also relate as musicians who are very comfortable in both jazz and classical music, and Elena adds to that as a singer coming primarily from classical music (Lieder and opera).”
Artmann is enthusiastic about the new music that audiences will be hearing for the first time at the Bay Area shows next month, before the group enters the recording studio early next year. “The new repertoire follows my deep passion for crossing boundaries and creating universal music,” he says, “so while everything is rooted in the jazz tradition, there are elements of prog rock, funk, classical harmony, and spiritual/Buddhist themes throughout, at times exploring very open spaces but then again locking into odd-metered, dance-like grooves.”
Among the new songs are “The Calling,” “Dark Matter,” “Not That Deep,” “Dorothea,” “Habeas Corpus,” “Abhaya,” “Keep on Dreaming,” “Planet Blue,” and a couple that have yet to be named.
“I am truly very excited about this new material,” says Artmann. “It’s a big step forward for me, going deeper into my own musical consciousness, showing full commitment to just write the music that comes through me from the universe, as opposed to ‘trying’ for a particular sound, style, or accomplishment. As such, it is both very inspired and very honest music.”
Christian Artmann’s debut as a leader came with Uneasy Dreams (2011), followed by Fields of Pannonia (2015), Our Story (2018), and The Middle of Life (2023). His fifth album will be recorded and released in 2027. He records for Sunnyside Records and is a Miyazawa Artist.
Sat. 11/7, Meyhouse Jazz, 640 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 5pm & 8pm.
Sun. 11/8, Keys Jazz Bistro, 498 Broadway, San Francisco, 5pm & 7pm.
“Stunning virtuosity… vision of confidence.” – JazzTimes
“The most beautiful, pure sound one could ever wish for… The dark tone of his alto flute casts a spell.” – JazzThetik
“Flute virtuoso” – The Boston Globe
“Crystalline tone, fluid technique, engaging compositional style.” – Jazziz
“A model of what is possible with jazz flute.” – The Flutist Quarterly
Coming on the heels of an October concert at Berklee College of Music in Boston with the Laszlo Gardony Quintet, Artmann will be joined by pianist Laszlo Gardony, bassist Jeff Denson, drummer Yoron Israel, and vocalist Elena McEntire. The shows are a reunion for the longtime collaborators and provide an opportunity to introduce new material, which Artmann plans to record in early 2027.
“Not only are these players some of my very favorite musicians in the world,” says Artmann, “but there are deep connections running through the band—a special, joyous chemistry that is hard to find nowadays where long-term touring bands have become the exception rather than the norm. I used to study composition and improvisation with Laszlo, and out of that teacher-student relationship developed a mentorship, a friendship,” and then, about 10 years ago, a professional association as colleagues onstage and in the recording studio.
“Laszlo and Yoron have been performing and recording together for a couple of decades,” adds Artmann, “as part of the amazing Laszlo Gardony Trio and elsewhere. Together with Jeff, we all have Berklee connections one way or another. Jeff, Laszlo, and I also relate as musicians who are very comfortable in both jazz and classical music, and Elena adds to that as a singer coming primarily from classical music (Lieder and opera).”
Artmann is enthusiastic about the new music that audiences will be hearing for the first time at the Bay Area shows next month, before the group enters the recording studio early next year. “The new repertoire follows my deep passion for crossing boundaries and creating universal music,” he says, “so while everything is rooted in the jazz tradition, there are elements of prog rock, funk, classical harmony, and spiritual/Buddhist themes throughout, at times exploring very open spaces but then again locking into odd-metered, dance-like grooves.”
Among the new songs are “The Calling,” “Dark Matter,” “Not That Deep,” “Dorothea,” “Habeas Corpus,” “Abhaya,” “Keep on Dreaming,” “Planet Blue,” and a couple that have yet to be named.
“I am truly very excited about this new material,” says Artmann. “It’s a big step forward for me, going deeper into my own musical consciousness, showing full commitment to just write the music that comes through me from the universe, as opposed to ‘trying’ for a particular sound, style, or accomplishment. As such, it is both very inspired and very honest music.”
Christian Artmann’s debut as a leader came with Uneasy Dreams (2011), followed by Fields of Pannonia (2015), Our Story (2018), and The Middle of Life (2023). His fifth album will be recorded and released in 2027. He records for Sunnyside Records and is a Miyazawa Artist.
Sat. 11/7, Meyhouse Jazz, 640 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 5pm & 8pm.
Sun. 11/8, Keys Jazz Bistro, 498 Broadway, San Francisco, 5pm & 7pm.
Selected press
“Composer with great vision… Unique sound that stands out amongst contemporary jazz.” – All About Jazz“Stunning virtuosity… vision of confidence.” – JazzTimes
“The most beautiful, pure sound one could ever wish for… The dark tone of his alto flute casts a spell.” – JazzThetik
“Flute virtuoso” – The Boston Globe
“Crystalline tone, fluid technique, engaging compositional style.” – Jazziz
“A model of what is possible with jazz flute.” – The Flutist Quarterly
For more information contact Terri Hinte Publicity.
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