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Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra: Conspiracy

By Jack Bowers
October 29, 2022
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Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra: Conspiracy

While listening to Conspiracy, German-born composer-arranger

Tobias Hoffmann

guitar, electric
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Tobias Hoffmann's second album, the thought arose that "

" data-original-title="" title="">Stan Kenton would have loved this." Like Kenton, Hoffmann is an explorer who approaches music from a cerebral point of view but never overlooks the need to swing and to keep an audience engaged by varying the tone, tempo and color of his orchestrations. Several of Hoffmann's compositions, in fact, would have found a suitable home in the Kenton orchestra's library, as they lay bare the influence of such legendary writers as Bill Russo,

Gene Roland

b.1921

" data-original-title="" title="">Gene Roland,

Pete Rugolo

composer / conductor
1915 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Pete Rugolo,

Johnny Richards

composer / conductor
1911 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Richards,

Hank Levy

saxophone, tenor
1927 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Levy, Dee Barton and even, from time to time,

Gerry Mulligan

saxophone, baritone
1927 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerry Mulligan.

Having said that, it should be noted that Hoffman has his own singular voice, one that is well-suited to the contemporary scene, as it uses complex and sophisticated harmonies and rhythms in the service of music that is both resourceful and pleasing. That is evident throughout, but never more so than on Hoffmann's "Elegy" for unaccompanied horn section, the minor blues "Trailblazers" or the bright and swinging "Impostor Syndrome," whose up-tempo opening section gives way to a perceptive solo by pianist

Philipp Nykrin

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Philipp Nykrin before resuming its hurried pace.

Hoffmann's love for trombones comes to the fore on the last two numbers, "Who Knows Intro" and "Who Knows," the first showcasing trombonist

Daniel Holzleitner

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Daniel Holzleitner, the second guitarist

Vilkka Wahl

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Vilkka Wahl, and both tunes the orchestra's superb trombone section (Holzleitner,

Kasperi Sarikoski

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Kasperi Sarikoski,

Robert Bachner

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Robert Bachner—who doubles on euphonium for an ardent solo on "Impostor Syndrome"—and bass trombonist

Johannes Oppel

trombone, bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Johannes Oppel). Hoffmann seldom uses more than one soloist per number; tenor saxophonist Robert Underkofler is featured on the opening "Conspiracy," alto saxophonist

Andy Schofield

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Andy Schofield on "December Song," flugelhornist

Jakob Helling

trumpet
b.1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Jakob Helling on "Awakening," alto sqxophonist

Patrick Dunst

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Patrick Dunst on "Relentless," trumpeter

Simon Plötzeneder

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Simon Pl?tzeneder on "Renegade."

The exceptions are "Trailblazers," on which Sarikoski and baritone saxophonist

Jonas Brinckmann

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jonas Brinckmann share the space, and "Impostor Syndrome," whose soloists are Bachner, Nykrin and tenor saxophonist

Martin Harms

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Martin Harms. "Conspiracy" is dense and dark, "December Song" relaxed and light-hearted, "Awakening" slow and somber, "Relentless" earnest and powerful, "Renegade" somewhat nebulous yet by and large persuasive. Taken together, they present a luminous snapshot of Hoffmann's exceptional talents as a composer and arranger. Conspiracy has much to admire and recommend, and portends even greater steps forward in the future.

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Track Listing

01 Conspiracy (07:12min) 02 Elegy (2:08min) 03 December Song (07:36min) 04 Awakening (09:36min) 05 Relentless (08:38min) 06 Trailblazers (07:53min) 07 Renegade (08:20min) 08 Impostor Syndrome (09:50min) 09 Who Knows Intro (04:31min) 10 Who Knows (06:50min)

Personnel

Tobias M. Hoffmann

saxophone, tenor

Additional Instrumentation

Patrick Dunst (Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone & Flute) Andy Schofield (Alto Saxophone, Flute & Clarinet) Robert Unterk?fler (Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone & Clarinet) Martin Harms (Tenor Saxophone & Clarinet) Jonas Brinckmann (Baritone Saxophone & Bass Clarinet) Dominic Pessl (Trumpet & Flugelhorn) Bernhard Nolf (Trumpet & Flugelhorn) Felix Meyer (Trumpet & Flugelhorn) Simon Pl?tzeneder (Trumpet & Flugelhorn) Jakob Helling (Trumpet & Flugelhorn) Kasperi Sarikoski (Trombone) Robert Bachner (Trombone & Euphonium) Daniel Holzleitner (Trombone) Johannes Oppel (Bass Trombone & Tuba) Vilkka Wahl (Guitar) Philipp Nykrin (Piano & Synthesizer) Ivar Roban Krizic (Double Bass & Electric Bass) Reinhold Schm?lzer (Drums & Electronics) Conductor Tobias Hoffmann Recording Supervisor Peter Lenz

Album information

Title: Conspiracy | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Mons Records

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