Search - Gerry Quintet Hemingway :: Demon Chaser

A great early Hemingway gem reissued!

greg taylor | Portland, Oregon United States | 08/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How can anyone ignore the music of Gerry Hemingway? You have only to look over his resume to realize how central he has been to the history of creative improv musics over the last three plus decades. His drumming and percussion was essential to the sound of the greatest jazz quartet of the 1980s and early '90s, Anthony Braxton's "classic" quartet. If you are unaware of this quartet look up my Listmania on AB for the recordings. He has been a continuous member in ensembles led by Reggie Workman and Anthony Davis. He is and has always been the Drum of BassDrumBone. He has performed in every conceivable musical configuration.

But since the early 1990s, for my ears, he has most importantly (or, at least, on a par with the work w/ AB) led his own American quartet/European quintet groupings.

All of which leads me to this CD which has recently been reissued by Hatology. So forget those sellers who want to charge you anything more than standard prices. I suggest, of the sellers currently listed, that you try the Jazz Loft people. Very good store, good service.

Anyway, this little gem features the European quintet during a 1993 performance in Wuppertal-Elberfeld, Germany. The members are Michael Moore (alto sax, clarinets), Wolter Wierbos (trombone), Ernst Reijseger (cello), Mark Dresser (bass) and Hemingway on the drums and steel drums.

These names are all now familiar to listeners of creative improv music. It should be noted that

their work with this quintet is one of the reasons they are well known. Like any good long-lasting ensemble, the European quintet acted as a school for all of its members, including Hemingway.

Mark Dresser was the bass player in AB quartet with Hemingway. The way they play together is a good reason to listen to any of their recordings. But Dresser is equally adept at playing with Reijseger using the combined sound of the bass and cello to provide the harmonic ground of the music.

Wierbos is his usual self which is to say, for my ears, one of the two or three best trombonist on the planet. I love Michael Moore' playing of this CD. I can imagine him playing in a chamber orchestra, a Dixieland band, a swing orchestra and a post-bop quartet. He is perfect for this type of setting where what is being improvised and what is composed at any moment is a matter of debate.

But listen, in particular, to his work on Demon Chaser.

In any case, if you are unfamiliar w/ Hemingway's quintet music, this CD is a good introducation. Also, make sure to check out his American quartet with the likes of Ellery Eskelin and Herb Robertson."

Excellent Hemingway

Speedy | Fl, MO USA | 12/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This has a great blend (and balance) between improvised and composed material. The sound is excellent with great 'wooden' acoustics. Perfect for the cello, double bass and trombone. An immense pleasure on the ear. These includes old friends Michael Moore (sax, winds), Walter Wierbos (bone) & Ernst Reijseger (cello) + american maverick Mark Dresser (bass). Recommended if you like open ended free jazz but don't mind well crafted composed material as well, always in the jazz tradition."