Jazz / Post-Bop, Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz
George Robert - Sax (Alto), Executive Producer
Randy Brecker - Guest Appearance
Andy Neresheimer - Engineer
David Liebman - Liner Notes
Emil Spanyi - Keyboards, Piano, Mastering
Gorm Valentin - Photography
Jim McNeely - Arranger, Composer
Laurent Wolf - Sax (Tenor), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Baritone)
Marcel Papaux - Drums
Mathieu Schneider - Flute
Matthieu Michel Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Peter Burli Producer
Peter Schmidlin Executive Producer
Robert Bonisolo Sax (Tenor)
Vinz Vonlanthen Guitar
The death of tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker in early 2007 shook the jazz world. This excellent tribute features Swiss alto saxophonist George Robert leading a ten-piece band consisting of fellow faculty members at Lausanne Conservatory, with special guest Randy Brecker on trumpet, playing seven originals written and arranged by Jim McNeely. Robert, who has typically recorded with a quartet or quintet prior to this outing, excels in a different setting, generously featuring his fellow musicians. McNeely's writing reflects the type of music that would have suited Michael Brecker if he had been able to participate, while is it suggestive of the different periods of the late musician's career. "Burn" is a turbulent opener, followed by the moody "Silver Spheres," which features trombonist Rene Mosele at length. "In Step, Out Ahead" blends post-bop with a contemporary air, showcasing pianist Emil Spanyi. "Into Thy Hands" is a gorgeous work that serves as a requiem, while "Hudson Funkshon" is a playful strut. Laurent Wolf's soulful tenor sax in the gospel-infused "Remember the Sound" is suggestive of Brecker without being a mere clone. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
George Robert
Active Decades: '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: 1960
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Big Band, Swing, Hard Bop
One of the finest jazz musicians born in Switzerland, altoist George Robert has long considered his main influences to be Charlie Parker and Phil Woods. He started on piano when he was eight, and clarinet at ten, playing with a family band that included his four brothers. Robert switched permanently to alto as a teenager. In 1980, he moved to the United States to study at Berklee, settling in New York in 1985. Robert recorded his first album that year (for his GPR label), and in 1987, formed a quintet that he co-led with trumpeter Tom Harrell on and off through 1992. George Robert, who has toured with Clark Terry, has recorded many albums as a leader for Contemporary, TCB, Mons, and Jazz Focus.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
