In 1977 a song was first pressed on record, which to this day brings tears to the eyes of many, who have grown up in the GDR: “Am Fenster” (“At the Window”) by the East German band City. It became a tremendous success instantly, even crossing the borders to the West - perhaps the biggest “Ostrock”-hit of all.
For its 40th anniversary Jessica Gall has performed a heartfelt version of this beautiful ballad for MDR Kultur.
The darker days of the year are here. The clocks have been turned back and You may as well say your Good Nights at 5 pm – but you should not! For now is also the time our artists are entering some renowned and selected stages. You may listen to the Nighthawks playing at the Dresdner Jazztage on the 8th of November and the following day the Jazzfest in Aalen. Jeff Cascaro, after a brilliant premiere in Bremerhaven, will present his new program in his native town Bochum on the 5th of November.
Jeff Cascaro and his band are already on site in Bremerhaven, going through a final rehearsal for their new program Love & Blues in the City. The thrill of anticipation amongst the musicians is palpable, as they are preparing for the first performance of their new set, tomorrow 27th of October, 19 h at the Stadthalle in Bremerhaven. On that same evening Benny Greb will fill his vehicle to the brim with drum equipment and take off to the Netherlands to play at the Keifestival with his band Moving Parts on October the 28th.
A few weeks ago Benny Greb has released his album Grebfruit 2 on Herzog Records. The album is a musical barrage of powerful beats and delicate vocal arrangements – or vice versa. As a singing drummer Benny Greb may seem to be walking out on thin ice. But as it turns out, he is dancing on a glorious big block of pack ice. The album definitely is a triumphant statement. To further underline that, he has cut videos to many of the songs together with Meinl. Yesterday the video Grebchestra has been released. There is a method and now a face as well to the madness.
It´s really a piece of cake – one may think. Musicians love songs and, as seasoned professionals, they know them by heart. From a huge repertoire Jeff Cascaro has put together a congenial set for his brand new album Love & Blues in the City. Now, at the Seaside Jam in Bremerhaven, on the 27th of October, the first concert is due and what has been worked out so brilliantly in the studio has to pass the test of the stage. That means a lot of rehearsing, rechecking of changes, harmonies and timbres to find the perfect musical balance for a live setting.
Autumn is falling down on us and the Nighthawks are taking off for a little tour of Germany´s southern regions. Their first station will be the Jazzclub in Wangen, on October the 6th. Then onwards to “their” Garage in Kleinwinternheim and finally, on the 8th of October, to the prestigious Burghof in Lörrach. The music of the Nighthawks is suited perfectly for this time of the year. Don´t miss Your chance to enjoy their wonderful, pulsing music live and let Yourself be transported around the globe – that is what their album “707” is about.
What can I say? The week is coming to an end and all of a sudden the adrenalin is pumping. Singer Jeff Cascaro has entered the Itunes Album Jazz Charts at No. 1. Yesterday, after a long day of interviews here in Hamburg, we ended up in an Italian restaurant, talking about Love & Blues. The very subjects at the heart of Cascaro´s new album Love & Blues in the City. Take a wild guess: who is hiding behind the LP cover?!
Cascaro's passion for music shines through—as he rhapsodizes about his musical idols and the history of jazz. The same passion pulses through Love & Blues in the City. In contrast to his previous soul-jazz recordings, Love & Blues in the City offers a subtle, laid-back feeling, with touches of classic jazz phrasing and artistry. “The time was ripe to record a more jazzy and intimate album. I wanted to put a stronger emphasis on the voice and its delicacies.”
Coming saturday, 30th of September, Les Brünettes will host the program “Klassik-Pop-et cetera” at radio station Deutschlandfunk. Starting at 10:05 h Juliette Brousset and fellow members Julia Pellegrini, Stephanie Neigel and Lisa Herbolzheimer will chat and tittle-tattle about their latest album The Beatles Close-Up.
Managing an independent record label is bound to give one the blues quite frequently. It is work in a game full of challenges – perhaps more than ever. When asked, why I even bother, there is just one simple answer: I´m in love with music. Which presumably is the way jazz singer Jeff Cascaro feels about it as well. And which is why he has placed these conflicting sentiments of Love & Blues in the title of his new CD.
The grand “Reeperbahn Festival” is only just beginning this week, but already there has been a magnificent concert on this famously infamous boulevard – although completely separate from the “Reeperbahn Festival”. The Oh!chestra has been rocking the Kukuun Club. As part of the event series “Kiez Klassik” the duo, consisting of drums and piano, has laid down a phenomenal performance. A duo – a discovery!
Jeff Cascaro´s voice is remarkable! And in the past weeks I have been hearing it on the phone almost every day. Why? Because even seasoned artists get jumpy when the release date of their latest album approaches. All kinds of questions: “Is there anything important left to do? Have You talked to such-or-such? Did they like the album?” It´s a marathon – but, considering the wonderful musical results, a rewarding one in itself. So far the resonance in journalistic circles has been outright positive! And we are not handing out free tickets to the Bahamas.
What sets music in motion? Stylish pictures! We took it the French way – perhaps not quite as Truffaut-like "men of cinema" – and had a glass of cool white wine with Mr. Jeff Cascaro, as we went strolling the streets of Berlin on a mild summer night. The result being some atmospheric impressions for his forthcoming and truly marvellous album “love & blues in the city”. It will be available at the 29th of September. Take a look: https://youtu.be/5DNO6NDNIYw
photo: Jim Rakete
Man is not well known for his foresightedness. That's why we want to help a bit. In exactly one year from today, the VIVA ALTONA! Festival will take part at the Fabrik Hamburg. On the occasion of Herzog Records' 10th Anniversary. So we want to surprise you with a "Night of Groove" on March 18th 2016, brought to you by the brass band Marshall Cooper and the electronic-jazz group Nighthawks. And the day after, on March 19th 2016 the "Night of Soul" will end the festival.
The Nighthawks have many different airways. A prestigious and pleasant venue will be approached on 03/14 however. It's about the "Grillo Theater" in Essen, Germany! Be there or be square!
Reiner Winterschladen is nominated for the German "Echo Jazz" - Award as "Best Instrumentalist of the Year / Brass Instruments National". Reason for this nomination is the last Nighthawks record 'Rio Bravo'. Herzog Records congratulates trumpet player Reiner Winterschladen on this, and congratulations to the band as well.
The Nighthawks can be seen in Poland time and again. Wether in Gdynia, Krakow or in Katowice - like on Febuary 24th. The band has a lot of fans in Poland, who will make this a wonderful concert at the marvellous philharmonic hall in Katowice. Begins at 7 p.m.!
What else does a singer have to prove himself, if he already released three successful soul jazz albums? Jeff Cascaro was looking for another challenge and found one. Olaf Stötzler, the manager of the hr- Bigband, brought Jeff Cascaro together with his bigband again. This collaboration resulted in a rhythm'n soul night, that has been performed twice and will partially be released online on decembre 5th. Jeff Cascaro & hr- Bigband - Soul Town. Open your ears - this is just terrific! Soul music cannot be more captivating.
What does a band do when its tour is over. Imagine three musicians sitting in a café and musing happily about the ten has-been concerts. People came to see them anywhere. This music is too thrilling obviously. And of course the band recorded every concert of the tour on harddrive, like professionals certainly do. I think there's enough reason to look forward to 2015. There will certainly be live versions available for purchase. But first of all a little break. Thanks to the fans, the band says: bye for now!!
The day has come... The long-awaited release of "Moving Parts"! Benny Greb, internationally succesful drummer presents his new project on tour! (dates in our "LIVE"-section) On those days we are checking the charts, obviously; iTunes has become an institution in this field, too. The Internet is a fast moving media, rankings are constantly changing. But: Benny Greb's "Moving Parts" stands its ground emong the top3 and justifiably so!
