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Independent Jazz Quartet
"Aigües Blances"
Unisono-Records 2012

The Independent Jazz Quartet – that first word resonates with the sense of musical independence and freedom – a freedom that these musicians fashion with fantasy and emotional strength.. ... [more]

Cover: Jutta Römer

Jürgen Scheele · tp/flh
Rolf Römer · ts/ss/bcl
Lars Gühlcke · double-bass
Ernst Bier · drums/percussion

Recorded live at jazzwerkstatt October 21, 2009

Recorded by Patrick Römer - http://www.unisono-studio.de

Mixed and Mastered by Patrick Römer - http://www.unisono-studio.de

Executive Producer: Rolf Römer - http://www.rolf-roemer.de

Photos by Jakob Vorberg

Cover design by Ivana Kersting - http://www.ivadesign.com

Cover painting by Jutta Römer - http://www.juro-art.de

Ernst Bier plays Pommerenke Drums - www.schlagzeugbetreuung.de

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Linernotes

Independent Jazz Quartet - Aigües Blances

Here are musicians who participate in a freely coalesced form of play; for them playing contemporary jazz grounded in the jazz tradition belongs to the most beautiful of freedoms. Their music is open to the most contem- porary compositional possibilities, and at the same time it is timeless in the best sense. Four distinct musical personalities complement one
another, and in so doing they create a group sound. Here is music that can bring cool relief to a hot summer day and heat up the cold winter evenings. The imaginary setting for these sounds is the intimacy of a classic jazz club with its close contact between the musicians
and the public.
What makes this music so exciting is its emotional and dynamic tonal spectrum, the devilishly rousing improvisations, and the unity of the musical performance. It reminds one of the classic hard bop bands. At the same time the quartet takes on the feeling of freedom that is so tied together with Ornette Coleman’s music, as it eschews a harmony
instrument such as a piano or guitar. Yet the Independent Jazz Quartet sounds different; it also differs from the music of the revered demigods of modern jazz history, although there is something from the music of a Clifford Brown or Miles Davis, a John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, or Dexter Gordon that resonates through parts of the Independent Jazz Quartet’s
music. But these are at most trace elements in the play of the four musicians as they glide through the jazz world with open minds, intent on staying true to their own collective musical vision. Here the music is strongly interactive; built on the solid and at the same time flexible foundation of bass and drums, it allows for a multiplicity of tonal colours
through the trumpet (or flugelhorn) combined with bass clarinet, tenor, or soprano saxophone. From time to time the horns burn as if in a battle, a “fight” that ends up in evocative, intensive cooperation.

The original compositions underline the players’ desire to separate themselves from the myriad of imitators. Pieces such as “West of Cairo” reflect an autobiographic perspective - in this case, Rolf Römer’s collected experiences when he spent over a year working in Libya. Orientalism and European influences meld together with the essence of jazz in the quartet’s play. The music completely does without the decorative; instead, the music is direct, gripping, vital.
Trumpeter Jürgen Scheele began his musical career in Berlin in the 70’s, working as a studio musician as well as playing in a wide variety of bands. Since the late 80’s he has been living in Spain where he has worked with the likes of Robin Eubanks, Lew Tabackin, Harold Land, Tete Montoliu and the Manhattan Transfer. He serves as the driving force of the Independent Jazz Quartet. Alongside Scheele is saxophonist Rolf Römer, one of the most experienced musicians on the German jazz scene. In the course of his more than 20-year participation in WDR Big Band in Cologne, he has helped to build the band’s international
standing. Bassist Lars Gühlcke studied in Amsterdam with Ernst Glerum and Misha Mengelberg; he has played with a variety of groups, including Joe Haider, Ed Kröger, Larry Porter, Ted Rosenthal, and Heinrich Köbberling. Drummer Ernst Bier studied with the likes
of Billy Brooks and Elvin Jones and lived and worked in New York from 1982 to 1987. Bier has played with such different musical personalities as Attila Zoller and Ted Curson, and has been a member of Perry Robinson’s band since 1984. His individual and at the same time flexible style has distinguished him as one of the most sought-after drummers in
contemporary jazz.
The Independent Jazz Quartet – that first word resonates with the sense of musical independence and freedom – a freedom that these musicians fashion with fantasy and emotional strength.
                                                                                       Bert Noglik
                                                                     Translation Marty Cook