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Helveticus: Our Way
by Glenn Astarita
Helveticus makes a striking contribution to the jazz scene with its second album, Our Way. Comprised of a Swiss super-trio featuring the distinguished Samuel Blaser on trombone, the legendary Daniel Humair on drums, and the versatile Heiri Känzig on bass, this ensemble offers a masterclass in musical constructive interaction and innovation, blending original compositions, jazz standards, and Swiss folk songs. The opening track “IRA," sets an invigorating tone, with Blaser's trombone leading the melodic charge, weaving complex, soul-stirring ...
Continue ReadingSamuel Blaser: Routes
by Chris May
The Jamaican trombonist Don Drummond (1934-1969), the inspiration for Routes, was in certain respects a mid-twentieth Jamaican parallel of the New Orleans cornetist Buddy Bolden (1877-1931). Bolden pioneered jazz in the US, Drummond in Jamaica. Both achieved mythic proportions during their lifetimes and both their legends endure. Both, tragically, spent their final years in what were then called insane asylums. One difference between the two musicians is that, while no recording of Bolden has survived, if indeed ...
Continue ReadingSamuel Blaser, Aka Moon, Michael Blake, La Marmite Infernale & Other New Releases
by Ludovico Granvassu
Around the world in a playlist, which features Latin and Caribbean influeces, touches of Indian music, spiritual jazz, Brazilian aromas, microtonal atmospheres, and visceral electro-acoustic outbursts. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme" 0:00 The Kevin Fingier Collective “Latin Dynamite" Latin Dynamite--Single (Acid Jazz) 0:16 Host talks 3:04 Samuel Blaser “Chronicles" Routes (Yellowbird/Enja) 4:46 Jo?o Selva “Passarinho" Passarinho--Single (Underdog) 9:16 Host talks 13:35 Michael Blake's Chroma Nova “Little Demons" Dance of the Mystic Bliss (P&M) ...
Continue ReadingSamuel Blaser: As the Sea
by John Kelman
Plenty has been written about musical camaraderie--the building of long-term musical relationships and their unmistakable impact on the evolution of a group. Few, however, discuss the inevitable impact of personal relationships behind the music. Times have changed, and few jazz groups tour for more than a couple of consecutive weeks; still, hitting the road for even two weeks is sure to mean plenty of “up close and personal" time amongst band members. Samuel Blaser's Boundless (hatOLOGY, 2011) was recorded during ...
Continue ReadingBlaser Ducret Bruun Trio at Hakasalmen Huvila
by Anthony Shaw
Blaser Ducret Bruun Trio Hakasalmen Huvila Finnish Tour Helsinki November 14, 2022 Samuel Blaser has a glittering past, with glowing reviews of his considerable career in journals from around the globe. The performance of his trio in this modest-but-elegant salon a stone's throw from Helsinki's main railway station, alongside his old accomplices Marc Ducret on guitar and Peter Braun on drums did nothing if not bolster the virtuoso reputation he has garnered.
Continue ReadingAlban Darche: Le Gros Cube #2
by Alberto Bazzurro
La passione di Alban Darche, quarantasettenne tenorsassofonista e compositore bretone, per i grossi organici è nota: ce ne siamo già occupati diverse volte, su queste colonne. Questo suo ultimo lavoro, edito come d'uso su Yolk Music, non fa eccezione: diciotto elementi, big band che più classica non si potrebbe. Per una volta (almeno rispetto al passato) anche in quanto a linguaggio espressivo-espositivo, che si riconnette mani e piedi alla grande tradizione orchestrale, inserendo i soli, che ovviamente non mancano, sopra ...
Continue ReadingSebastien Ammann's Color Wheel: Resilience
by Alberto Bazzurro
Lo svizzero Sebastien Ammann, di professione pianista e compositore, guida in questo elegante, solido album un quintetto dalle geometrie ben definite e dai percorsi espressivo-espositivi conseguenti. Magari non vi si respirerà tutta l'originalità di questa terra, ma il lavoro d'insieme (soprattutto) è ottimamente congegnato e condotto, e sul piano solistico tutto procede analogamente, col trombone di Samuel Blaser una spanna sopra gli altri (peraltro sempre all'altezza della situazione). Subito l'iniziale “Yayoi" ci introduce eloquentemente entro i meandri ...
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