Lost & Found Tian et al

• 1 Chocolate Con Churros 04:04
• 2 Echo from the Past 04:05
• 3 Jeder Tag 08:12
• 4 My Funny Valentine 05:28
• 5 Lila Licht 03:40
• 6 Ixtlan 06:12
• 7 Beer for Breakfast 03:43
• 8 Watch Out I Bite 07:32
• 9 Flor Mixteca 06:06
• Total Runtime 49:02

Info for Lost & Found

“Lost and Found” is the name of the debut record of young German saxophonist Tian, alias Christian Korthals. Tian has collected his musical stories about losing and finding during his one-year journey around the world as a street musician. For his jazz and latin influences, the German press has compared Tian’s music to Sonny Rollins, but it is certainly the Flamenco elements that add a unique touch to the traditional jazz combo line-up. While experiment and improvisation do play a big role, Tian has arranged his music clearly, always keeping it understandable, and the message clear: Don’t fear the unknown.

Finding their own niche somewhere between bebop and postbop there is the unexpected texture added with Angel Rubio and his Spanish guitar. Jazz is indeed becoming a global force and lines of distinction here in the west are becoming razor thin thanks to the creative energy of Tian Et Al, a saxophonist that could hold his own on any stage in the Big Apple. Tian whose given name is Christian Korthals leads a formidable sextet through their paces, at times sounding like an even larger ensemble and at other times embracing the deceptively subtle approach of a less is more Coleman Hawkins like riff on a ballad "Echo From The Past." Opening with the infectious "Chocolate con Churros" the musical melting pot is evident. There is a fusion of cultures but with a delightful bohemian like twist built within the sound. The inspiration of a slight more open ended sound may be due largely in part to Korthals writing this compositions on his year long odyssey across the globe as a street musician. The addition of the Latin and flamenco influences in this setting while not new, has never been performed as well. "My Funny Valentine" is re-harmonized into a slightly more uptempo tune kicked off with one of the finest trombone players I have heard in some time in Achim Fink. The rhythm section is rounded out with Christopher Siegenthaler on piano, Benjamin Tai Trawinski on double bass and Tobias Moller on drums. The synergy that transposes itself on to the recorded medium is simply fantastic. Shifting meter on the fly while working without what would seem to be a harmonic net is captivating. The syncopated pop articulated with the lyrical sense of purpose is something most ensembles can strive for and never reach in a career. Tian Et Al has lyrical flow and texture down cold. An exact science but with an open ended warmth and accessibility. "Beer for Breakfast" is but one of the rather catchy tunes you may find yourself coming back to over and over again. Bebop goes pop? No...this is much deeper but when played with real emotion and passion then the joy is undeniable.

Korthals has a motto, "Never fear the unknown." Rather zen like and I dig it...Much like the recording. (Brent Black, www.criticaljazz.com)

Christian "Tian" Korthals, tenor & soprano saxophone
Achim Fink, trombone
Christoph Siegenthaler, piano
Benjamin Tai Trawinski, double bass
Tobias Möller, drums
Special Guest:
Angel Rubio, Spanish guitar

Tian was born in 1978 in Nuremberg. He studied the saxophone in Arnhem (The Netherlands), and has since made himself a name as a composer and arranger. Two of his titles are published by advance music, and he collaborated with a number of jazz orchestras, like the Grand Central Orchestra Cologne, and the Composers’ Orchestra Berlin. His band features musicians from two generations and three countries. Trombonist Achim Fink is internationally known through his band “Talking Horns”. Angel Rubio from Madrid (Flamenco guitar) received numerous prizes for his projects “Madera Jazz”, “Big Band del Foro”, “Jazzhondo”, and has been playing together with the band leader as a duo for three years.

Booklet for Lost & Found