Record Reviews

SEBASTIAN STUDNITZKY ~ MEMENTO CONTEMPLATE 15001 (Barcode: 4050486924266) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is an album by German pianist / trumpeter / composer Sebastian StudnitzkyFind albums by this artist recorded in a trio format with bassist Paul KleberFind albums by this artist and drummer Tommy BalduFind albums by this artist. Percussionist Rhani KrijaFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The trio is accompanied by the Pforzheim Chamber OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Together they perform nine original compositions, all by Studnitzky, who also wrote the orchestral arrangements. The album is a beautiful example of Jazz-Classical Fusion symbiosis which presents an interesting crossover of genres. The melancholic and wonderfully melodic themes are ideal vehicles for gentle improvisations, which Studnitzky performs equally skillfully on the piano and the trumpet. The whole album has a coherent atmosphere and could be seen as a long suite subdivided into nine parts. I had the opportunity to hear this music live with a string quartet (in place of the orchestra), and it worked equally well. This music is not about flashy Jazz exhibitionism, but rather about the more contemplative, almost Nordic character of the idiom, which of course has many fans. It is accessible to a wide circle of music connoisseurs and proudly represents European aesthetics, which is more relaxed and introvert. Although definitely less complex than hardcore Jazz recording, it is nevertheless full of emotion and intrinsic beauty, without crossing over to kitsch, which many similar attempts often suffer from. Overall this album is definitely worth investigating for all fans of Jazz-Classical Fusion and melodic Jazz, looking for an hour of serenity among the havoc that usually surrounds us.

Updated: 01/11/2016Posted: 01/11/2016

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