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  | WUNSCH / STRAUCH SEXTET ~ JOANA`S WALTZ
JAZZ`N`ARTS 3205 (Barcode: 4260089370036) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005
This is an album by German Jazz sextet co-led by pianist / composer Frank WunschFind albums by this artist and drummer Oliver StrauchFind albums by this artist, which also includes British trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and German saxophonists Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist and August Wilhelm ScheerFind albums by this artist and bassist Paul G. UrlichFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, four of which are original compositions by Wunsch, three by Wheeler and two are standards.
The album finds Wheeler among fellow German musicians, in one of several such encounters. He was always open and ready to participate in projects involving international lineups and in retrospect is probably the British Jazz musician, who recorded more often on the European scene than anybody else, in dozens of diverse settings. This is one of many Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection.
The music is a marvelous example of modern European Jazz, based on melodic, somewhat melancholic themes, in an environment that suites Wheeler’s stylistic approach ideally. Wheeler has a lot of opportunity to solo, and this album offers some of Wheeler’s typically splendid work, which never ceases to amaze. Despite the fact that this is a sextet recording, most of the times it presents one soloist supported by the rhythm section, with limited appearances by the entire brass section, which creates an intimate, relaxed climate.
Overall, this is an excellent modern European Jazz album, performed by first class musicians, which is absolutely worth digging for, not only for the great contributions by Kenny Wheeler, but no less importantly for the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team.
| | Updated: 12/05/2023Posted: 12/05/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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