Martin Wind (bass), Peter Weniger (tenor saxophone) , Jonas Burgwinkel (drums)

“Gravity”. A term for which dictionaries provide a whole range of possible translations. Among them “gravity”, “attraction”, “depth” and “solemnity”. They all describe the album title of Martin Wind featuring Peter Weniger and Jonas Burgwinkel perfectly – and on very different levels, explains bassist and bandleader Martin Wind. “Musically, the double bass is the centre of every ensemble. It is their foundation, where the threads come together rhythmically and harmonically. Comparable to the sun, which holds our planetary system together with its gravity.” At the same time, “Gravity” also works on a personal level. “There are people and places you feel drawn to. “Hamburg, for example. The metropolis on the Elbe is a starting point and stopover for me when I travel between the USA and Germany,” explains Wind, who has lived in Teaneck/New Jersey since the late 1990s.

Jim Snidero (alto saxophone), Pietro Lussu (piano), Martin Zenker (bass), Rick Hollander (drums)

Building on his 5-star Downbeat Magazine review of Live at the Deer Head Inn (2021), alto saxophonist Jim Snidero brought in brilliant guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel for his latest album, Far Far Away (2023), which in turn was the subject of an article in the February/March issue of Jazz Thing magazine. New compositions from this critically acclaimed recording will be heard at King George with Jim Snidero’s long-running European Quartet.

From the series “Jazzthing At The King”

Pedal and lap steel guitar ace Roosevelt Collier, so accomplished that he is affectionately known as “The Dr”, has released his solo debut “Exit 16” on GroundUP Music. It’s a potent mix of blues, gospel, rock and, as he says, “dirty funk and swampy grime”, courtesy of producer and Bokanté bandmate Michael League (of Grammy-winning Snarky Puppy). Roosevelt grew up in the House of God Church in Perrine, Florida, developing his skills on the “sacred steel” guitar alongside his uncles and cousins in the band The Lee Boys, known for their spirited, rousing live performances. On his own, Collier has become a sought-after talent, both on record and on stage. He can regularly be heard at festivals as an “Artist at Large” alongside musical luminaries from the rock, blues and pop worlds, including the Allman Brothers, The String Cheese Incident, Buddy Guy, Umphrey’s McGee, Los Lobos, Robert Randolph, the Tedeschi-Trucks Band and the Del McCoury Band.

 

Pedal and lap steel guitar ace Roosevelt Collier, so accomplished that he is affectionately known as “The Dr”, has released his solo debut “Exit 16” on GroundUP Music. It’s a potent mix of blues, gospel, rock and, as he says, “dirty funk and swampy grime”, courtesy of producer and Bokanté bandmate Michael League (of Grammy-winning Snarky Puppy). Roosevelt grew up in the House of God Church in Perrine, Florida, developing his skills on the “sacred steel” guitar alongside his uncles and cousins in the band The Lee Boys, known for their spirited, rousing live performances. On his own, Collier has become a sought-after talent, both on record and on stage. He can regularly be heard at festivals as an “Artist at Large” alongside musical luminaries from the rock, blues and pop worlds, including the Allman Brothers, The String Cheese Incident, Buddy Guy, Umphrey’s McGee, Los Lobos, Robert Randolph, the Tedeschi-Trucks Band and the Del McCoury Band.

The King Georg Bigband

Jörg Achim Keller (drums & arrangements), Heinz Dieter Sauerborn (Alto Sax 1), Paul Heller (Tenor Sax 2), Stefan Weber (Tenor Sax 3), Wim Both (Trumpet 1), Ruud Breuls (Trumpet 2), Günter Bollmann (Trombone 1), Uli Plettendorff (Trombone 2), Jürgen Neudert (Tenor Horn), Richard Hellenthal (Tuba), Henning Gailing (Bass), Billy Test (Piano)

“DREAMBAND!” – this was the word he used to describe the hand-picked line-up of his KING GEORG 12 before the premiere 2 years ago – before the pandemic then brought this exciting project to an abrupt end after only one performance. Now the concert series is finally being resumed. The arranger and long-time chief conductor of the big bands of the hr and NDR will regularly write new music for the band’s monthly concerts, which will always be premiered by this all-star ensemble of German big band jazz on the third Wednesday of each month. Original compositions and arrangements of standards that leave room for the ensemble’s outstanding soloists, in which the swinging rhythm section can unfold freely and in whose ensemble sound the energy of a big band is combined with the flexibility of a combo, the sharpness of the hottest bands with the velvety smoothness of the coolest. “A new sound is born!”

Rob Schneiderman (piano), Ben Fitzpatrick (tenor saxophone), Dominik Raab (drums), John Goldsby (bass)

Rob Schneiderman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, grew up in California and has lived in New York City for over 30 years. His jazz career began in San Diego, where he played as a pianist for guest soloists such as Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt, Harold Land and Charles McPherson. A move to New York in 1982 led to performances and tours with such greats as J.J. Johnson, Chet Baker, James Moody, Art Farmer and Clifford Jordan, including trips to Europe and Japan. As part of a National Endowment for the Arts grant, Rob worked with George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Claudio Roditi and Slide Hampton. The collaboration with Slide resulted in the CD New Outlook, the first of Rob’s ten recordings as a leader for the Reservoir Music label. These CDs contain over twenty Schneiderman originals as well as arrangements of many standards. Accompanying musicians featured on these recordings include Charles McPherson, Billy Higgins, Rufus Reid, Brian Lynch, Ralph Moore, Peter Washington, Lewis Nash, Akira Tana, Billy Hart, Gary Smulyan and Ben Riley. Rob’s Reservoir CD Keepin’ in the Groove received 4 ½ stars (out of five) from Down Beat Magazine. Rob’s recordings as a sideman include sessions with Eddie Harris, J.J. Johnson, TanaReid and Brian Lynch’s Unsung Heroes project. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

 

Jerry Lu (piano), Caris Hermes (bass), Niklas Walter (drums), Andy Haderer (trumpet) & guests

Monthly jam session led by WDR Big Band trumpeter Andy Haderer.

Deborah J. Carter (vocals), Daniele Gorgone (piano), Marco Piccirillo (bass), Gaetano Fasano (drums)

A quartet of extraordinary energy and elegance, led by the American singer, who is touring for the occasion with a trio of experienced Italian musicians: Daniele Gorgone on piano, Marco Piccirillo on double bass and Gaetano Fasano on drums.

With her unmistakable velvety, deep and jazz-soaked voice, Deborah will interpret the great American classics of those composers (Jule Styne, Fred Coots, Irving Berlin) who wrote unforgettable melodies, in addition to some lesser-known gems from the endless repertoire of the American songbook. A concert that promises to be full of verve and rousing reharmonizations.

Jerry Bergonzi (saxophone), Phil Grenadier (trumpet), Sean Pentland (bass), Sebastian Nay (drums)

The New York bassist Sean Pentland and the German drummer Sebastian Nay have been able to win a brilliant wind front for their band project with the saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi and the trumpeter Phil Grenadier. Jerry Bergonzi has set standards on the saxophone: he has recorded around 40 albums as a leader and over 100 as a sideman. Among them are such legendary recordings as the Live at Montreux album by Miles Davis and Quincy Jones. The tenor player is equally renowned as a musician, composer and teacher recognized. His playing is highly praised for its dynamics, lyrical sensitivity, finely chiseled textures, and a never-ending fire. Bergonzi is credited with a full sound and great technique. Many critics and musicians celebrate him as a musical visionary. When asked if he still practiced daily, eleven-time Grammy winner Michael Brecker replied, “As long as Jerry Bergonzi is around, no tenorist can rest on his laurels!

The repertoire of the quartet consists mainly of original compositions written for this band. The conscious renunciation of a harmony instrument means more responsibility, but also more artistic freedom in terms of sound and structure. The Creativity Bergonzis and the Lyric Grenadiers are kept energetic by Sebastian Nay on drums and the swinging foundation of Sean Pentland on bass.

Scott Hamilton (saxophone), Martin Sasse (piano), Jos Machtel (bass), Joost van Schaik (drums)

Martin Sasse has worked with virtually every legend in international jazz throughout his stage career, including Al Foster, Jimmy Cobb, Steve Grossman and Lee Konitz, and has long been considered one of the preeminent jazz pianists in Europe himself. His regular partners include Philip Catherine, Peter Bernstein, Harry Allen and Scott Hamilton. He has released 12 albums under his own name and plays as a guest on countless recordings and concerts worldwide. Sasse has played at all the major festivals, including with world stars such as Bobby McFerrin, Tommy Emmanuel and Sting. Concert tours have taken him as far as Japan, China, the USA and Egypt.

With his trio, he is joined tonight by one of the last world stars of the swing saxophone: Scott Hamilton. Hamilton played in Benny Goodman’s orchestra, recorded with Al Cohn, Gerry Mulligan, Woody Herman, Red Norvo and many others.

Scott Hamilton’s own albums appear on the famous Concord Records label.
Sein Stil ist beeinflusst von Ben Webster und Don Byas und orientiert sich an den klassischen Swing-und Mainstream-Saxophonisten wie Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young und Zoost Sims.