David Sanborn // Herbie Hancock Quintet

David Sanborn

David Sanborn became internationally well known in the 80ies for his sleek alto sound and has since been playing and recording with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, the Rolling Stones and many others. It is not fair, though, to reduce his scope to smooth jazz and fusion; In the early nineties he performed alongside John Zorn and Tim Berne, proving that he can navigate just as easy through the experimental quadrant of the jazz universe.

His early musical affection however was evoked by alto saxophonist Hank Crawford who became famous as musical director for Ray Charles’ band. It was mainly Crawford’s elegance, purity and undisguised emotionality that impressed a young David Sanborn.

After releasing a version of Marcus Miller’s song Brother Ray on his 1999 album Inside, he now has dedicated his recently released album Here and Gone entirely to Charles’ and especially Crawford’s musical legacy. Never before has he sounded so intense and touching.

“Here and Gone, the 23rd solo album by David Sanborn, could have similarly been titled Me and Mr. Crawford, after the great alto saxophonist Hank Crawford. It’s a tribute and a testament, brimming with conviction. It also happens to be a decent soul-jazz record. Mr. Sanborn’s sweet-tart alto sound has been a reliable pop staple for so many years that these grittier connections can feel surprising. When he puckers up for a swinging instrumental, like Mr. Crawford’s Stoney Lonesome, the effect is a disarming delight.”
Nate Chinen / The New York Times

Herbie Hancock Quintet

Grammy Award winner Herbie Hancock has crossed boundaries and challenged jazz orthodoxy since the heady days of the 1960s. From the beginning he was a stylistic chameleon, constantly on the search for his next musical adventure. He could always be found among the pioneers – may it be danceable hardbop, jazz rock or electric jazz (like the Headhunters, scheduled for Nov 8 at Quasimodo) and, more recently, in the merge of hip hop and jazz.

Hancock is a master of the entire keyboards range – from acoustic piano to electronic keyboards to synthesizers to computers. Looking at his productiveness and versatility one is tempted to believe that his name actually stands for a pool of musicians, acting autonomously under this denotation.

Berlin will see him with a stellar new band featuring New Orleans trumpeter Terence Blanchard, renowned for his music for successive Spike Lee movies; Geneva born New York harmonica player Gregoire Maret who has riveted audiences as a member of Cassandra Wilson’s bands; James Genus, bassist of choice for the likes of Michael Brecker and John Scofield, and talented young drummer Kendrick Scott.

“Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven't heard anybody yet who has come after him.”
Miles Davis

“Hancock is deep into a new phase in his nearly 50-year career. The shift is as much philosophical as musical. ‘There are some realizations that have come clearer to me,’ he said. ‘I hope that the directions that I choose in music will reflect that. I’m thinking about the next generations and what I can do to use my life and my experience to help further theirs – and to learn from them, too.’”
Josef Woodard / Downbeat