Record Reviews

DON CHERRY / KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI ~ ACTIONS INTUITION 3606 (Barcode: 750447360624) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1971 Released: 2001 This is a reissue / remaster of one of the most iconic Jazz / Improvised Music recordings ever, recorded live during the 1971 Donaueshingen New Music Festival in 1971. It presents the American trumpeter / composer Don CherryFind albums by this artist accompanied by a large international orchestra, called The New Eternal Rhythm OrchestraFind albums by this artist, comprised of the crème de la crème of European Jazz musicians - trumpeters: Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist (Germany), Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist (UK), Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist (Poland), guitarist Terje RypdalFind albums by this artist (Norway), trombonists: Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist (UK), Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist (Germany), saxophonists: Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist (Germany), Peter BrotzmannFind albums by this artist (Germany), Willem BreukerFind albums by this artist (Holland), flautist Gunter HampelFind albums by this artist (Germany), keyboardist Fred van HoveFind albums by this artist (Holland), bassists: Buschi NiebergallFind albums by this artist (Germany), Peter WarrenFind albums by this artist (US) and drummer Han BennikFind albums by this artist (Holland). The central piece of music performed here was composed and conducted by Polish Classical composer Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist. The album includes extensive bilingual liner notes, which describe the circumstances of the recording and include an interview with Penderecki. The project was a brainchild of my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who was in charge of the Jazz section of the Donaueschingen New Music Festival at the time and presented some of most challenging and groundbreaking music of the era. Penderecki was a frequent guest at the festival and following a concert of the Globe Unity OrchestraFind albums by this artist during the 1967 season of the concerts, decided to write a piece for a Free Jazz ensemble, which came into fruition four years later. The music is of course as brilliant as one might expect and sounds still completely innovative and fresh as it did at the time of the performance, losing nothing of its splendor over time. I discussed this recording with Maestro Penderecki during my last meeting with him before his passing, and he remembered the occasion very well. He respected Berendt for his tremendous knowledge and work towards expanding the Jazz genre’s recognition, as well as for his help to Polish musicians / composers during the Socialist era. We both mourned Berendt’s demise. Overall, this is a superb piece of music, which although composed, is performed by an orchestra of Improvising Musicians, which makes it pretty unique, especially since it was recorded well over half a Century ago. If you are able to find a copy, this is a must have in every serious Jazz records collection.

Updated: 02/09/2025Posted: 02/09/2025

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend