Venerable Vienna-based guitarist Karl Ratzer joins forces with bassist Peter Herbert and Howard Curtis on his 36th album as a leader or co-leader.
Venerable Vienna-based guitarist Karl Ratzer joins forces with bassist Peter Herbert and Howard Curtis on his 36th album as a leader or co-leader. "I'm so grateful to have these outstanding musicians so many years in all of my projects," said Ratzer. "After playing together a long time, we have our sound."
Their indelible chemistry was forged over many years of gigging at the Viennese jazz club Porgy & Bess, the city's premier jazz emporium located in the heart of historic Inner City, just a short walk from Stephansplatz Square at the geographical center of Vienna. In fact, the club's manager, Christoph Huber, who has booked Ratzer to perform a special New Years Eve concert at the club for the past 15 years, is partly responsible for what you hear on Vienna Red. "Actually, Christoph inspired me to play trio," said the guitarist. "And he gave me the possibility to continuously develop our sound by playing at his club."
The results of that longstanding gig are readily apparent on Vienna Red, a live recording documenting the trio at that very same Porgy & Bess Jazzclub. An intimate and elegant affair, it showcases Ratzer with his highly interactive rhythm tandem alternately swinging fervently, exploring seductive Bossa Novas and plumbing the depths of emotion on moving ballads marked by the leader's heart-wrenching, affecting vocals. And the release of this very potent album happens to coincide with the guitarist's 75th birthday.
An accomplished player with a nuanced touch and a sophisticated harmonic palette, Ratzer has demonstrated a rare command of his instrument going back to his work as an in-demand sideman during the early '80s with such American jazz greats as Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Lee Konitz, James Moody, Johnny Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis as well as with his Viennese friend and colleague, pianist Fritz Pauer.
Track Listing
Disc 1:
I Fall In Love Too Easily Until You‘re Mine Poor Butterfly Footprints Blue Moon
Disc 2:
Agoque Beautiful Black Eyes Splendid Bandit / Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing Sometime Ago
