New Swiss Talents – Swiss Jazz Quintet (NST 6/1981)

swissmusic

The Swiss Jazz Quintet mostly performs modern jazz originals.

The Swiss Jazz Quintet consists of the following five instrumentalists:

Heiner Althaus (tenor and soprano sax)
Born in Basel. In 1977 he received the Swiss Jazz School diploma and was Solist’s Prize winner at the Swiss National Jazz and Rock Festival in Augst. Besides recording experiences he has also appeared on TV and radio broadcasts. In 1979 he represented Switzerland at the European Broadcasting Union’s Eurojazz Concert in Helsinki. On this occasion he played a.o. with Makaya Ntshoko, Dave Holland, Bobby Battle and Isla Eckinger.

Marcus Becker (piano)
Born in Frankfurt, West Germany. He received classical music training, followed by jazz studies at the Music Academy of Graz (Austria). He is also a member of the Music Jazz Quartet of Swiss saxophonist Roman Schwaller, and has performed a.o. with Cameron Brown, Christoph Lauer and Ralph Hübner.

David Elias (drums)
Born in Praque. He received the Swiss Jazz School diploma after studying with Billy Brooks and H.P. Giger. He has recorded with blues singer Eddie Boyd, and has performed a.o. with Pony Pointexter, Benny Bailey, Miriam Klein, Woody Shaw and Heinz Bigler.

Walter Schmocker (bass)
Born in Interlaken. After studies with Isla Eckinger and Peter Frei he received the Swiss Jazz School diploma. He has performed on radio and TV, and appeared a.o. with Milt Buckner, Kai Winding, Babs Gonzales, Benny Bailey and Ira Kriss.

Robert Morgenthaler (trombone)
Born in Zurich. Received the Swiss Jazz School diploma. Played for two years professionally with the Roy Pellet Jazz Band. He has recorded with the Jerry Dental Kollekdoof, the L’Orchestre à Musiques and Chameleon. He has appeared on radio and TV and performed a.o. with Bill Coleman, Claude Luter and Andy Scherrer.

Musical content

1. Swiss Jazz Quintet: Tell’s Shot
(R. Morgenthaler)
2. Swiss Jazz Quintet: A Clean Day
(H. Althaus)
3. Swiss Jazz Quintet: Train of Thought
(H. Althaus)

Production information

Musica Helvetica. New Swiss Talents NST 6. Swiss Jazz Quintet. Produced 1981 for SBC / SRI by Lance Tschannen.

Background information

Switzerland is a small alpine nation shaped and influenced by great cultural cross-currents that have swept through Europe over centuries. Out of elements of diversity, the people of this country have forged a distinctly Swiss identity. And music is one of its most eloquent expressions. “Musica Helvetica” explores different facets of music in Switzerland from its earliest beginnings to the latest works of modern Swiss composers, from folk music to rock and jazz. This historical series span the years 1973 to 1998. These recordings are not available.