Record Reviews

GEORGE GRUNTZ ~ EXPO TRIANGLE MIGROS 6170 (Barcode: 7617028117660) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1998 - 2000 Released: 2000 This is a brilliant album by Swiss pianist / composer / bandleader / activist George GruntzFind albums by this artist, which presents a collection of musical works connected to the EXPO exhibition in 1964, which originated a meeting between Gruntz and the Swiss composer Rolf LiebermannFind albums by this artist, which developed into a long lasting friendship until Liebermann’s death in 1999. The album presents two extended pieces performed by the George Gruntz Percussion EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a trio which comprises of Gruntz on piano and two drummers: Fabian KuratliFind albums by this artist and Raphael WollFind albums by this artist. Also included is a Symphony for Jazz Ensemble, composed by Lieberman and performed by the George Gruntz Concert Jazz BandFind albums by this artist, a Big Band comprising of famous European and American Jazz musicians, including trumpeter Marvin StammFind albums by this artist, trombonist Dave BargeronFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Chris HunterFind albums by this artist and bassist Mike RichmondFind albums by this artist among others. Finally, the original piece composed by Liebermann for the EXPO 64 and performed by 156 office machines is also included. The music is a stupendous blast of Genius and European “out of the box” approach to music, which exploded in the 1960s, taking music in general, and Jazz music in particular, into another dimension altogether, as this album brilliantly demonstrates. Gruntz (who died in 2013) was one of the great heroes of European Jazz, a total musician who could play Classical music and Jazz with the same proficiency and his revolutionary ideas as composer and activist advanced the status of Jazz in Europe to the level of Art. Overall, this unique album presents some little known aspects of the wide range of activities George Gruntz was involved with, and is a perfect tribute to this great Artist, whom I had the pleasure to meet many times. He was also blessed with a great sense of humor, which is also evident on this album. Jazz listeners, who are sure they have already heard everything, this album is a proper wakeup call.

Updated: 17/08/2024Posted: 17/08/2024

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