Reid,Tomeka / Lonberg-Holm,Fred - Eight Pieces For Two Cellos - VINYL LP

Gottschalk / Ulrich Roman Murtfeld - American Recital [SUPER-AUDIO CD] Hybrid SACD date 09/09/2014

Vinyl LP pressing. With it's warmth, power and clarity, the music has the distinctive hallmark which makes Haffner probably the most popular drummer/bandleader in Europe, known from his albums and from thousands of concerts in more than 100 countries. And at the same time it marks an evolution in his music. Indeed, perhaps one of the key factors behind Haffner's success is that his music will always contain elements of the familiar alongside the new, and that Haffner always brings the audience along with him to participate in the flow of his ideas - and also in the 'life rhythm' which he communicates so brilliantly, and instills in everyone around him. A versatile approach and the highest level of musicianship are also factors which Wolfgang Haffner has in common with his fellow musicians on 'Life Rhythm'. At the core is his regular, completely 'played-in' trio with keyboard player Simon Oslender, also a drummer and a band leader in his own right, and Thomas Stieger, one of the most sought-after bassists on the German pop and jazz scenes. They are joined by trumpeter Sebastian Studnitzky, Haffner's regular collaborator since his ACT debut 'Shapes', and Finnish guitarist Arto Mikälä, a real discovery with remarkable variety in his sound. Haffner also welcomes some unique musical personalities to bring their own highly individual colours to the band Nils Landgren has been a good friend and touring colleague for more than 20 years. Also appearing are saxophone icon Bill Evans, Sting's guitarist Dominic Miller, Balkan beat star Shantel, the refined bassist Nicolas Fiszman, oud virtuoso Thomas Konstantinou and Bruno Müller, one of the finest of German jazz guitarists.

Much has happened to Tomeka Reid, who was already one of jazz's definitive figures in the 21st century, in the 4½ years since her last album by this all-star quintet. Most notably, she was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 2022, one of the most prestigious awards in the creative arts field in the USA. The same year, she also won the DownBeat Critics Poll for miscellaneous instrument (despite many deserving talents emerging on the instrument, the jazz polls don't have cello as a category for recognition).She has also performed and recorded with a large number of musicians including The Art Ensemble of Chicago, The Fire and Water Quintet and Tomas Fujiwara's 7 Poets Trio. The group's previous album, Old New, was a huge seller and topped many 'Year's Best' lists and this new has long been awaited.