Description

“”Groove jazz, that”s what we grew up with,”” says alto saxophonist JakobManz.

Name: The Jakob Manz Project - The Answer (CD)
SKU: WEEC659598
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (239 reviews)

”Groove jazz, that”s what we grew up with,” says alto saxophonist Jakob
Manz. ”Marcus Miller, David Sanborn and the Brecker Brothers – they”re
all in our DNA. But for The Jakob Manz Project”s second album, we also
wanted new inspirations which would push us further”. The main catalyst
for this was a performance at the Papjazz Festival in Haiti. The band were
deeply affected by the country and its music, as well as a first encounter
with pianist Meddy Gerville from La Réunion. So, whereas we can hear
Jakob Manz”s breathtaking virtuosity again on ”The Answer”, it is always
something he puts to the service of the music. Grooves and melodies are
to be heard here which are clearly influenced by the more soulful and poppier
sides of American jazz. But there are also new colours derived from a
serious immersion and engagement with music from beyond the western
world. Manz conquers these newly expanded sonic horizons with his band
consisting of Hannes Stollsteimer (piano), Frieder Klein (bass) and Paul
Albrecht (drums), plus additional percussion from Karl-F. Degenhardt. The
guests on the album are from the most diverse directions: Lionel Loueke
contributes a fascinating West African touch with vocals and guitar,
Alexandra Stollsteimer contributes the sound of classical violin and
Matthias Schriefl is on trumpet and alphorn – this last instrument certainly
a very raresighting in a band playing groove jazz. As ever, jazz provides
musicians all over the world with a vocabulary to express, share and
communicate what moves and influences them, and to allow audiences to
appreciate it. In its own life-affirming way, jazz definitely has ”The Answer”.