Record Reviews

BARBARA BRUCKMULLER ~ A CHAIN OF MOMENTS BICOLORIOUS MUSIC 2024-01 ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is a 3CD album by Austrian composer / arranger / bandleader Barbara BruckmullerFind albums by this artist, which presents her Suite in five Movements, called “A Chain Of Moments”. The suite is performed in three different arrangements, each on a separate CD. CD1 presents the suite performed by piano and a string quartet, with Cuban (resident in NY) pianist Aruan OrtizFind albums by this artist. CD2 presents the suite performed by a Jazz sextet, which includes Ortiz, saxophonist Viola FalbFind albums by this artist, Polish trumpeter Kaya MellerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Mario VavtiFind albums by this artist, bassist Thatiana GomesFind albums by this artist and drummer Howard CurtisFind albums by this artist. CD3 presents the suite performed by the Barbara Bruckmuller Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist & Strings, which also includes Ortiz and other local Jazz musicians, like saxophonist Tobias HoffmannFind albums by this artist, trombonist Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist and the a.m. members of the sextet and the string quartet. All the music was recorded live, with the orchestra performing at the famous Porgy & Bess Club in Vienna and the smaller lineups at the MusikQuartier 1060 in Vienna. The sheer scope of this project is truly impressive, requiring the composer / arranger to re-think the music in different environment, with the specific challenges and limitations in mind, all of which Bruckmuller does with incredible skills and obvious expertise. As a result, the listener is exposed to classic example of the differences between these three Jazz environments: Jazz-Classical, Jazz ensemble and Jazz Big Band. Although the music is obviously the same, it sounds quite different in these varied exposures, enabling an ideal comparative experience. Ortiz, who is usually associated with the Avant-Garde Jazz scene, shows that he is perfectly capable of playing scores exactly as written, and his improvisational identity is most evident during the sextet performance, where he soloes extensively. But his contribution to this recording, in all three exposures, it absolutely outstanding and highly appreciated. Of course the actual music, which we can enjoy, is the most important factor, which makes the entire experience so enjoyable and artistically fulfilling. Bruckmuller is a wonderful weaver beautiful melodic themes, as well as a skillful arranger, especially in the Big Band environment, and her work so far is really outstanding. Overall, this is a highly ambitious and complex musical adventure, which presents a suite in three different Jazz environments, proving that great music sound wonderful in every milieu, when it is aesthetically sound and skillfully performed. I absolutely loved this album and highly recommend it to all Jazz fans, who love the flirt between Jazz and Classical Music, and of course the European Big Band Jazz sound. Well done Milady!

Updated: 11/04/2025Posted: 11/04/2025

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

BARBARA BRUCKMULLER ~ BARBARA BRUCKMULLER BIG BAND BICOLORIOUS MUSIC 2013-01 (Barcode: 610098499268) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the debut album by Austrian composer / arranger / bandleader Barbara BruckmullerFind albums by this artist and her Big Band, which she conducts. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which were composed by Bruckmuller and two are standards, and all were arranged by her. The album was recorded at the splendid Viennese Jazz Club Porgy & Bess, which I visit with love every time I happen to be in town. The band members are mostly young Austrian Jazz musicians, all accomplished and well-schooled musicians. Trombonist Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist represents the older Big Band generation. The music is all excellent, as expected, especially coming from Austria, which is famous for its Big Band tradition, probably the strongest and most abundant in European Jazz. The compositions are solid and coherent, and the Big Band performs them with elegance and panache, which makes this album a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. Bruckmuller recorded more albums since this debut and continues to lead her Big Band and developing her career, and she is certainly a musician to keep an eye on, especially if one is a Big Band enthusiasts, like myself. Overall, this is splendid Jazz Big Band album, which proudly represents the Austrian Jazz Big Band tradition, which has a proud contribution to European Jazz. Definitely an album worth digging out, especially for Big Band lovers, but all European Jazz enthusiasts should find it truly satisfactory.

Updated: 20/02/2025Posted: 20/02/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend