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The Music |
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Jazz Musicians Günther Fischer & Tom O'Hare.
Tom O Hare's previous collaboration with Günther Fischer, This One's For
Milt Jackson (Poppy 101), was, self-evidently, a tribute to the Modern Jazz
Quartet's great vibist. This new CD was recorded just before the death of
that group's pianist and leader John Lewis, and it is appropriately
dedicated to his memory. Pianist Paul O'Donnell and drummer Greg McCarthy
grace proceedings as they did that previous session, but also on this
occasion drummer Niall Marron plays on six tracks. The bassist is Michael
Hauser, with whom O'Hare and Fischer are already working on a new project to
be recorded in Fischer's new studio.
Günther Fischer studied piano and violin as a child. He later attended the
Hanns Eisler College of Music in Berlin, where he graduated as a music
teacher, having studied arranging, conducting, saxophone and clarinet. [He
has since added various flutes to that impressive armoury.] After lecturing
at the College for many years he branched out into composing; among his
credits are scores for Drama Festivals in Berlin, Vienna and Zurich and two
musicals, Jack The Ripper and Marilyn. In all he has written some 120 songs
and 200 film scores, the latter featuring such stars as Dietrich, Mitchum,
David Bowie, Tony Curtis and David Hemmings. In 1998 he moved to Kinsale,
which he finds an inspiring place to live and work, and which of course has
occasioned his regular collaborations with O'Hare.
Tom O'Hare has been a devotee of the Modern Jazz Quartet ever since the age
of six, when he first heard Odds Against Tomorrow, No Sun In Venice and the
European Concert. He originally trained as a classical pianist and he still
teaches the instrument at Kinsale Community School. And while he later
switched to vibes, piano jazz has remained an abiding passion for him:
Wynton Kelly being his favourite practioner. As a vibist, O'Hare's debt to
Jackson is obvious, but his sound and touch are strongly personal; moreover,
he has a feel for a melodic line while cooking fiercely.
Michael Hauser lives with his wife and two daughters in Dresden. He studied
classical as well as acoustic bass in Hamburg, going on to record with the
Thomas Himmel Quartet, Jonas Schön, Human Elements and Svevende. Since 1994
he has been working regularly with classical orchestras and ensembles in
Gotha, Berlin and Dresden, where he teaches bass at the University's Jazz
Department. He has also taught at workshops at the Montreux Jazz Festival,
universities in Los Angeles and elsewhere. Fischer and Hauser have been
working together since 1996 and their new tie-up with O'Hare presages
exciting developments.
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