Concert
Cologne based saxophonist and clarinettist Frank Gratkowski is well-known in free jazz circles, especially in the US he is admired for his expressive and powerful saxophone playing.
He is the present winner of the Südwestrundfunk Jazz-award. With his album Loft Exil V – in the jury’s opinion a timely interpretation of Ornette Coleman’s double quartet set-up – he is an honourable laureate.
Together with American, German and Dutch cohorts he makes an impressive free jazz impact.
The Dutch drummer Han Bennink and Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal might have more in common than possibly assumed. Even though Bennink is famous for his commitment to European free jazz and Pascoal is esteemed as a prolific composer they correspond on several levels: both are well-versed musicians open to a wide range of different styles and ethnic influences and both make use of unorthodox instruments – and in addition to their extravagant demeanour they share some twisted sense of humour.
Hermeto Pascoal defies all jazz classification. In Airto Moreira’s opinion he is the most perfect musician ever and Miles Davis called him one of his greatest influences. His vast knowledge of different cultures in mind he combines Brazilian rhythms, free improvisation and external sound sources with popular music and further treasures of his extended repertoire.
The daily routine of rehearsing with his band constitutes a vital part of his approach to improvisation and composition.
Frank Gratkowski – alto sax, clarinets
Tobias Delius – tenor sax, clarinet
Herb Robertson – trumpet
Wolter Wierbos – trombone
Dieter Manderscheid – bass
Wilbert de Joode – bass
Gerry Hemingway – drums
Paul Lovens – drums
Han Bennink – drums
Hermeto Pascoal – keyboards, flute
Hermeto Pascoal – keyboards, flute
Fabio Pascoal – percussion
Marcio Bahia – drums
Itiberê Zwarg – e-bass
Vinícius Dorin – saxes, flute
André Marques – piano
special guest: Aline Morena – vocals