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Eberhard Weber – The Jubilee Concert (2016)

Eberhard Weber – The Jubilee Concert (2016)

by | Nov 4, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

Weber – The Jubilee Concert (2016) A heartfelt tribute to a pioneer of European jazz! Performers: Eberhard Weber, Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, Jan Garbarek, Paul McCandless, SWR Big Band Studio: WDR/Jazz Haus (Distr. by Naxos Germany) Director: Thorsten Hubruch Video: 16:9 Color Audio:  PCM stereo (24-bit/48K) Length: 90 min. TrackList: Resume; Touch; Tubingen; Maurizius; Street Scenes; Hommage; Killer Joe; Notes After An Evening Ratings: Audio: ***      Video: ***     Overall: ***1/2 Eberhard Weber is best known as a double-bassist and jazz composer from Germany. He became renowned as a vital recording artist for ECM Records. In addition to solo projects, he collaborated with various ECM stars including Gary Burton, Ralph Townes and Pat Metheny. He became an icon to European jazz. One of his innovations was a five-string acoustic bass guitar (the additional string tuned to C), and he became an early proponent for the solid-body electric doublebass. His musical stylings ranged from traditional jazz to avant-garde fusion, minimalism, ambient music and chamber jazz. The dozen or so ECM releases were hailed for their versatility and unique utilization of ostinato. Unfortunately, his career was cut short by a serious illness in 2007. As a tribute to this […]

The Modern Jazz Quartet, Germany 1957-1958 “Lost Tapes” – SWR>>Music, Jazz Haus

The Modern Jazz Quartet, Germany 1957-1958 “Lost Tapes” – SWR>>Music, Jazz Haus

by | Sep 8, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

These 19556-58 German recordings show the outstanding performances of the early MJQ. The Modern Jazz Quartet, Germany 1957-1958 “Lost Tapes” [TrackList follows] – SWR>>Music, Jazz Haus mono 101 731 *****: Pianist-composer John Lewis, in these early recordings, turns the four musicians of the quartet into a sensitive instrument which vibrates in the same universe of sound, achieving a communion unique in the jazz world. His idea was to present a unique style that incorporated both jazz and classical elements with great polish and artistry. And this they did. This is really cool jazz by players who really know the music. There are some nice variations in the German recordings from the U.S. releases, which make the disc worth getting. There is an interlude by John Lewis on “Ralph’s New Blues,” which presents this MJQ classic in a whole new light. On “Midsommer,” the MJQ is heard together with the Harald Banter Ensemble in a third stream style. Then there is their early interpretation of my favorite jazz tune, John Lewis’ “Django.” TrackList: Ralph’s New Blues, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, Willow Weep for Me, I’ll Remember April, Misömmer, Bluesology, Django, Sun Dance, Cortege. You Go to my Head, I Can’t […]