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Jazz Articles

DVD/FILM REVIEWS July 4, 2016

Eberhard Weber: The Jubilee Concert

By MARK SULLIVAN

Eberhard Weber Eberhard Weber: The Jubilee Concert Naxos 2015 German bassist Eberhard Weber's 75th birthday celebration has already been documented in audio form on Hommage à Eberhard Weber (ECM, 2015). This video document more fully captures the celebratory tone of the event, includes a bit of bonus material, and perhaps most importantly, presents Pat Metheny's composition “Hommage" as the multi-media event it was created to be. Weber was both the honoree ...

CD/LP/TRACK REVIEW September 7, 2015

Eberhard Weber: Hommage à Eberhard Weber

Read "Hommage à Eberhard Weber" reviewed by

By MARK SULLIVAN

Hommage celebrates the 75th birthday of bassist/composer Eberhard Weber. His distinctive custom-built, five-string electro-acoustic upright bass sound has been the foundation of many ECM recordings, almost right from the beginning: as leader of his own groups; longtime sideman for saxophonist Jan Garbarek; and other ECM recording artists including Ralph Towner, Gary Burton, Wolfgang Dauner, Pat Metheny and the Frankfurt Jazz Ensemble. He has been unable to perform since a 2007 stroke, but the first two selections in this live concert ...

EXTENDED ANALYSIS September 4, 2015

Eberhard Weber: Hommage à Eberhard Weber

By JOHN KELMAN

Despite being waylaid from playing the instrument that defined his approach to both performance and composition by a severe 2007 stroke, Eberhard Weber has managed to accomplish the seemingly impossible feat of continuing to make recordings that revolve around his instantly recognizable, custom-made electro-acoustic instrument: 2013's Resumé and 2015's appropriately titled Encore, both on ECM Records, the label that's been home to the bassist, composer and occasional bandleader since Colours of Chloë (1974), his award-winning leader debut. Now, it's true ...

REDISCOVERY June 4, 2015

Eberhard Weber: Fluid Rustle

By JOHN KELMAN

Eberhard Weber Fluid RustleECM1979 Today's Rediscovery, after a bit of a hiatus, looks at an album by Eberhard Weber that is of particularly significance in the German bassist's discography. Fluid Rustle, released by ECM Records in 1979, was, in fact, one of many anomalies in Weber's discography for its unusual instrumentation (electric guitar/balalaika, vibraphone/marimba, bass/tarang, voices); but beyond that, it stands out as the album that introduced guitarist Bill Frisell to the world.

EXTENDED ANALYSIS March 16, 2015

Eberhard Weber: Encore

By JOHN KELMAN

In a time when too many things that seem unfair create victims rather than heroes, the world needs more people like Eberhard Weber. Struck down with a major stroke in 2007, the renowned German bassist found himself without the strength required in his left hand to be able to play the custom-built, electric five-string double bass that, in various incarnations, has defined a sound as instantly recognizable as any bassist on the planet. That would have been enough ...

CD/LP/TRACK REVIEW March 12, 2015

Eberhard Weber: Encore

By KARL ACKERMANN

The aesthetic sensibility that has become identified as the sound of ECM is--in large part--a manifestation of German bassist and composer Eberhard Weber's own vision. Spacious, obscured harmonies, fluid melodies and tastefully imbedded electronics, often within a minimalist framework have been consistent components of much of the music in the label's catalog. Weber's inventive approach to his instrument--especially his creation of the electrobass--led him away from the familiar parameters of walking bass lines into more uncharted territory of the bass ...

REDISCOVERY December 25, 2014

Eberhard Weber: :rarum Selected Recordings

By JOHN KELMAN

Eberhard Weber :rarum Selected Recordings ECM Records 2004 Some days you want to hear a bit of everything, so today's Rediscovery? Eberhard Weber's :rarum Selected Recordings, a compilation of some of his work as a leader and a guest for the venerable ECM label, ranging from his own Colours group to collaborations with Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, Ralph Towner, Norma Winstone and Jan Garbarek. That he can no longer play bass, the result ...

INTERVIEWS February 4, 2013

Eberhard Weber: Positive Pragmatism

By JOHN KELMAN

There are plenty of positives about getting older: wisdom, maturity and a more balanced outlook are just three of them. But it would be unrealistic to suggest that there aren't a few negatives thrown in there. When bassist Eberhard Weber woke up in his hotel room on the morning of April 23, 2007, in Berlin, Germany, where he was to perform with the Jan Garbarek Group--having played in numerous groups with the Norwegian saxophonist since Photo With Blue Sky, White ...

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About Jazz Story

Jazz Stories

I love jazz because it is true. I was first exposed to jazz st age 7. It's all Dad listened to. The best show I ever attended was CTI jazz show 1973. The first jazz record I bought was Weather Report's Sweetnighter. My advice to new listeners..
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I love jazz because it is true. I was first exposed to jazz st age 7. It's all Dad listened to. The best show I ever attended was CTI jazz show 1973. The first jazz record I bought was Weather Report's Sweetnighter. My advice to new listeners... just Listen. Sit down, turn off everything else, and just listen. Bring others to jazz. They will thank you for it.
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By S.P. Blanston
Member since: 2012