Search - Kenny Wheeler & Jurgen Friedrich Quartet :: Summerflood

Stellar stuff

E. C Goodstein | Northern CA United States | 09/30/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another fine addition to the impressive Kenny
Wheeler discography. He's an able accompanist & soloist with the young Jurgen Friedrich Quartet. There's a nice melodic center to the pieces-- a bit like Keith Jarrett, if
not as bluesy, & the extended pieces like the title track & "Baghira" have some nice development. Friedrich wrote
all the tracks, and emerges here as an interesting composer too. Maybe not the most adventurous KW
album around, but another solid, lovely one I think."

Superb album by a piano genius

E. C Goodstein | 11/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of course Kenny Wheeler deserves great respect. But the main star of this superb album is a young German pianist, Jurgen Friedrich, winner of the Gil Evans Composition Award back in 1998, the same award that catapulted big-band arranger Maria Schneider to fame in 1992. Jurgen, still based in Cologne, has performed and recorded with such stars as Michael Brecker, Claus Ogerman, Brazilian jazz diva Ithamara Koorax and the Sunday Night Orchestra. Legendary producer Creed Taylor discovered Mr. Friedrich and immediately signed him to CTI Records, releasing Summerflood. All Jurgen's compositions are masterpieces. His tenor sax player, Claudius Valk, is also quite impressive. Don't miss!"