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Who will make tomorrow’s news?
Where will technology take us?
Who will take music to a new place, celebrate what we know in a new way or startle us with a new special vision?
The jazz bigband graz under leadership of Horst-Michael Schaffer and Heinrich von Kalnein seems to have found some answers to these questions already. Contrary to the belief of some people, there is no rule book, and ‚new’ doesn’t have to have ‘that swing’ to mean a something. Horst-Michael Schaffer is a man on his own musical journey. Clearly he respects the history of the great writers of music and embraces technology in his own way. Rhythm and grooves are changing constantly. Sounds like the Theremin (famously used in 1950’s horror films) are not used just a freaky sound but here are given a real purpose.
Horst-Michael’s use of sounds, electric or natural, sit perfectly with the band, creating compositions that feel like ‘sound pictures’. In the wrong hands this could become a ‘turn off’. Some records have felt like the musician has discovered a toy box but does not understand the potential. Here ‘sound’ compositions and solos all work naturally together.
Europe in many ways is leading this vision of music today. The jazz bigband graz has produced a rich album for tomorrow – music for the head, the heart and the foot that gives a purpose to the large ensemble in the 21st century. Ideas and vision have always been the key to this kind of music and knowing how to write for the musicians and understand (and love) technology and all areas of music is something Horst-Michael embraces naturally. Melody and reaching out for his audience go hand in hand and clever for clever sake is not part of his musical voice. As Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and many other great Jazz musicians in the past, he’s not afraid to think commercially. His singing on “The Smile Of Smiles” and “Meshell’s Dreamland” have a haunting Sting-like quality. I should not have been surprised! Using all his gifts to make his music come alive is very important here. And the rich and inventive programming by drummer Gregor Hilbe is crucial to this album. The outstanding soloists sound like they clearly want to be in this musical place. If you want the best from musicians, you have to know them. This is certainly the feeling I get from this wonderful album.
With its two leading men the jazz bigband graz clearly knows where it is heading. We should all sit up, listen and join their journey.
Colin Towns (September 2007, Fordwich, Kent, UK) |
History
