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Jasper Hoiby, doublebass – Fellow Creatures – Edition

Jasper Hoiby, doublebass – Fellow Creatures – Edition

by | Nov 16, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Jasper Hoiby, doublebass – Fellow Creatures – Edition EDN1075, 55:11 (7/15/16) *****: (Jasper Hoiby – bass, composer/ Mark Lockheart – saxophones/ Laura Jurd – trumpet/ Will Barry – piano/ Corrie Dick – drums) Vital new music from a Danish bassist and composer that features group interaction at the highest level. As I look out the window at the mud and the rain on what seems like an especially cruel and dark November day, I can’t say that I’m in the mood for an up rendition of “Autumn Leaves.” Nor does the doctor recommend any nerve-flaying aggression. Likewise, I politely decline musical narcotics and soporifics, accepting the condition of being fully awake in the world.  What is called for is a new music which will affirm the old verities: Intelligent composition, comradely interaction, and hard swinging. If it can conjure up a world that is friendly to man and beast, all the better. We first meet Jasper Hoiby standing on a dock in Denmark. He looks like a thoughtful Viking, who, having surveyed the blue horizon, has decided to do some work on the land. [I thought he was just thinking “Why are you taking a photo of me?”…Ed.]  The title […]

Sax to Tango – Julio Botti, sop. & tenor sax – Zoho Desperate Dance – Pablo Ziegler Trio – Enja

Sax to Tango – Julio Botti, sop. & tenor sax – Zoho
Desperate Dance – Pablo Ziegler Trio – Enja

by | Jun 21, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Two terrific CDs taking us into the world of the tango. “Sax to Tango” – Julio Botti, sop. & tenor sax/Pablo Ziegler, producer/U. of S. Denmark Sym. Orch./ Saul Zaks – Zoho ZM 2011607 [6/3/16] ****: “Desperate Dance” – Pablo Ziegler & Quique Sinesi & Walter Castro (piano/guitar/bandoneon) – Enja Yellow Bird YEB 7755 [9/4/15] ****: The 13 tracks of the first CD cover some of the famous tango works by such as Astor Piazzolla, Ziegler and a couple others. Julio Botti has a brilliant way of performing on his two saxes, and the rich orchestral canvas behind him is the creation of Latin Grammy-winner Pablo Ziegler. He is also heard on piano as a terrific performer of his own and the music of Piazzolla. Of course both Oblivion and Libertango of Piazzolla are here, but so are a dozen other tangos of various sorts. This is he second collaboration of Botti, Ziegler and the Danish Symphony. Their earlier double-CD set was titled “Tango Nostalgias.” TrackList: 1. PRIMAVERA PORTEÑO 5.12 2. INVIERNO PORTEÑO 6.13 3. NIEBLAS DEL RIACHELO 4.01 4. AÑOS DE SOLEDAD 3.40 5. FUGA Y MISTERIO 5.05 6. OBLIVION 4.03 7. ROJOTANGO 4.47 8. FLOR DE LINO 3.52 […]

TIMOTHY BAXTER: Vol. 1- Various short compositions – Soloists – Claudio Records (Blu-ray & DVD-A)

TIMOTHY BAXTER: Vol. 1- Various short compositions – Soloists – Claudio Records (Blu-ray & DVD-A)

by | Mar 13, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

TIMOTHY BAXTER: Vol. 1- Various short compositions (TrackList follows) – Soloists: Ulrich Stærk, Anne Mette Stæhr, Galya Kolarova, Demetrios Karamintzas, Signe Asmussen, Anthony Ovenell, Paul Gregory – Claudio Records CC6025-2 Blu-ray (audio only) & DVD Audio (stereo) single disc TT: 65:48 (6/9/15) [Distr. by Naxos] ***1/2: A fine survey of Timothy Baxter’s instrumental music on an oddly-formatted disc. Timothy Baxter (b.1935) had his debut as a composer at 15 with a short motet O most merciful, which is still being sung. This early work showed all the hallmarks of his later compositional style and also the religious feelings so evident in his later choir music. He won first prize for a string quintet movement as a first-year student at the Royal Academy of Music, London, while studying with Priaulx Rainier. This success was followed by a number of other prizes and performances. He has written much church music: liturgical arrangements, pieces for choir, organ works and cantatas. Although born in the U.K, Baxter now lives in Denmark. This disc contains only instrumental music, but it is a nice representation of Baxter’s work. It has a British ‘feel’ to it, and while it is contemporary music, it could be many decades […]