The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band (Remastered) The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band

• 1 Destiny 11:33
• 2 Morning Song of a Spring Flower 08:59
• 3 Nepoleon Blown Apart 09:30
• 4 Cinderella Friday Night 12:21
• Total Runtime 42:23

Info for The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band (Remastered)

One of Europe’s most venerated band leaders, Swiss pianist-composer George Gruntz fronted small and large groups stacked with international jazz greats. This live GGCGB date is a dazzling example. All are internationally renowned jazz masters, many, such as long-time Mingus trombonist Jimmy Knepper, were innovators on their instruments; some, such as Americans drummer Elvin Jones, guitarist John Scofield, and trumpeter Woody Shaw are jazz legends. The compositions highlight Gruntz’s arranging skills and allow for a lot of open blowing. Destiny opens up with a propulsive Elvin Jones drum solo, followed by Scofield’s compelling play and Swiss musician Franco Ambrozetti’s luscious, warm flugelhorn. Gruntz’s lovely ballad Morning Song of a Flower has soloists Ambrozetti flitting between tenderness and a sunny medium-tempo. Napoleon Blown Apart begins with Mile Richmond’s plucked bass on into Gruntz’ Japanesque piano runs and Tyner-like chords followed by an upbeat jazz waltz and British saxophonist Alan Skidmore’s incendiary solo. Elvin explosively trades eights with the band before Lew Tabackin’s swinging tenor brings the band home. The fanciful Cinderella Friday Night features Lois Colin’s cascading harp lines the great Danish musician Palle Mikkelborg’s breathily kaleidoscopic flugelhorn (with a musical aside to the Beatles), and Skidmore’s frenetic tenor. Allmusic calls the album “stunning music by ensemble”; it stands as verification of Gruntz as one of the prime movers in European jazz.

Jerry Dodgion, Alto Saxophone,Soprano Saxophone, Alto Flute
Mike Richmond, Bass
Elvin Jones, Drums
John Scofield, Guitar
Lois Colin, Harp
George Gruntz, Keyboards
Bennie Wallace, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Lew Tabackin, Tenor Saxophone, Flute
Alan Skidmore, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute
Eje Thelin, Trombone
Jimmy Knepper, Trombone
Mike Zwerin, Trombone
Runo Ericksson, Trombone
Allan Botschinsky, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Americo Bellotto, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Benny Bailey, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Earl Gardner, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Franco Ambrosetti, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Palle Mikkelborg, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Woody Shaw, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Howard Johnson, Tuba,Bary-Sax, Bass Clarinet

Engineered by Reinhard Zwierlein
Mixed by Rolf Donner
Produced by Willi Fruth

Digitally remastered

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This album contains no booklet.