Bluenaissance. In Between. Music of Frescobaldi, Schlegel, Brubeck, Vizutti, Lindvall etc.
Stefan Schlegel, trombone, bass trumpet. Heinz della Torre, trumpet, flugelhorn. Paolo D'Angelo, organ, accordion.
Preface.
BLUEnaissance, the name of the group hints at the fact that these three musicians have departed from well-trodden musical paths. By combining elements of jazz and classical music, blues and renaissance, they have created an innovative and engaging sound.
Stefan Schlegel, Heinz della Torre and Paolo D’Angelo thereby not only demonstrate exceptional technique, unusual instrumentation and abundant creativity, but also a touch of humour.
BLUEnaissance.
The trio BLUEnaissance was founded in 1993 by trombonist Stefan Schlegel. Intrinsic of the succes of BLUEnaissance’s style is the personal form of expression that each of the three musicians contributes to the music.
Leonard Bernstein perhaps described these musician’s aim to the closest:
“Music is meaningless to me if it not capable of creating a relationship, on the sub-concious level, between the person performing and the person listening”.
About the music as presented here.
Frescobaldi’s music assumes a natural suppleness in tempi and dynamiscs due alone to the instrumention of this arrangement.
“We’ll Have Some Fun Tonight” is dedicated to trombonist Phil Wilson and mirrors his persona during the improvisation part.
“Bluenaissance” presents the chorale “Christ ist erstanden – Christ is risen” in diverse shades.
In “Cascades” the trumpet’s virtuosity is contrasted by the insipid, pointed comments of accordion and bass trumpet.
“Turnin’ in Different Directions” is a unique mixture of jazz and classic.
“Bluesette”, “Peace” and “Rondo a la Turk”, three jazz classics got a treatment towards a more “in between” quality.
Stefan Schlegel.
Stefan Schlegel was born in the canton of Saint Gallen. After earning his teaching and orchestral diplomas at the Winterthur Conservatory he studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston/USA (with Phil Wilson). Studies with Jiggs Whigham at the “Staatliche Musikhochschule” in Cologne followed. There he earned his diploma for jazz trombone. Stefan Schlegel performs in various ensembles mainly in Switzerland. He teaches at the Basel Jazz School and at the Schaffhausen Conservatory.
Heinz della Torre.
Heinz della Torre received teaching and concert diplomas at the Zurich Conservatory and from the Zurich “Musikhochschule”. Heinz della Torre
performed a.o. as a trumpeteer with the “Allgemeine Musikgesellschaft of Lucerne”, the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, the “Orchestra della svizzera italiana”, Swiss Youth Orchestra, the “Habarigani” Jazz Ensemble and the Lucerne Bach Ensemble.
He is also active as a music teacher.
Paolo D’Angelo.
Paolo D’Angelo was born in Felben (canton of Thurgau). He studied organ with J. Holtz and Peter Reichert at the Winterthur Conservatory. This was followed by studies on the accordion. He performs throughout Switzerland, especially with panpipe soloist Urban Frey.
Production information.
Bluenaissance. In Between (1997). Musica Helvetica MH CD 105.2. Executive producer: Patrick Linder. Music produced by Bluenaissance.
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