CD jw 089 ROLF KÜHN & TRIO feat. MATTHIAS SCHRIEFL: CLOSE UP
ROLF KÜHN clarinet RONNY GRAUPE guitar JOHANNES FINK double bass CHRISTIAN LILLINGER drums feat. MATTHIAS SCHRIEFL trumpet Recorded April 27 -30, 2009

DEU
CLOSE-UP, eine musikalische Nahaufnahme, festgehalten in exzellenter Klangqualität. Man hört jede Nuance, jedes Detail, nicht nur die Töne, sondern auch die Hände an den Instrumenten, den Ansatz und das Atmen. Und was für ein Klarinettenton, was für ein Jazzmusiker von Weltformat! Davon gab und gibt es hierzulande nur wenige. Albert Mangelsdorff zählte fraglos dazu, wobei er es leichter hatte, weil sein Instrument stärker en vogue war. Die Klarinette fristete, mit Ausnahme der Swing-Ära, eher eine Randexistenz. Rolf Kühn hat sie ins Zentrum gerückt und diesem, seinem Instrument eine unsterbliche Liebe eingehaucht. Wer immer die Geschichte der Klarinette im Jazz schreibt, kommt an ihm nicht vorbei. CLOSE-UP, Nahaufnahme eines Klarinettisten, der nicht als Klassiker auf den Sockel steigt, der ihm zustehen würde, sondern mitmischt, mit brennender Liebe zu dieser Musik. Bert Noglik

ENG
This is the second album by veteran German clarinetist / composer Rolf Kuhn (born 1929) recorded with his sensational new (at the time) quartet, which features also the veteran bassist Johannes Fink and two excellent representatives of the young German Jazz scene, guitarist Ronny Graupe and drummer Christian Lillinger. Another young and upcoming German musician, trumpeter Matthias Schriefl guests on two tracks. The album presents nine pieces, eight of which are original compositions: five by Kuhn, two by Graupe and one by Fink. The remaining piece is a special arrangement of a standard.
Kuhn’s musical life is almost completely parallel to the entire Jazz lifeline and he is one of the very few musicians, who managed to say „on top of things“ for the entire duration of his life up to now. Anybody listening to this music, not aware of Kuhn’s biography, could easily assume that the clarinetist belongs to the same generation as his young quartet members, although they are separated by more that half a Century, which of course is absolutely amazing.
The music is contemporary modern European Jazz, not entirely Free Form and including melodic themes, but performed completely openly, with huge degree of freedom allowed to all the participants. Full of virtuosic contributions by the leader and the rest of the crew, the music flows briskly and is over way too soon. There is not a dull moment on this album and the music is filled with elegance, typical European aesthetics and sophistication.
Kuhn’s clarinet sound is completely unique and beautifully merges the long tradition of the instrument with contemporary approach. He is not only one of the
most technically brilliant clarinetists, but more importantly is able to pour his soul into the instrument, producing a most heartwrenching sound, which is simply irresistible.
This album is a must have for all European Jazz enthusiasts, clarinet lovers and connoisseurs of great music.
It is recommended to check out this album’s predecessor entitled „Rollercoaster“ and the brilliant 2015 release „Stereo“, both recorded with the same quartet. Hats off!