Beskrivning:
Releasedate: 2007-06-01

This project of Vana's combines a world class New York piano trio with a percussionist from Brazil. Vana has traveled extensively in Brazil and has been drawn to its rich and unique music for some time. He decided to compose a variety of music reflecting those influences. However, he didn't intend to be authentically Brazilian, but rather mix these influences with the jazz and groove of his New York based rhythm section. The result is a compelling mix of music, sometimes sounding more New York, other times sounding more Brazilian.... There are 2 additional gems on that CD, Vana's award winning composition "Healing In Foreign Lands", as well as "The Dinner", Vana's composition for the TV series "Sex and the City."

Musicians:
Werner "Vana" Gierig - piano
Gene Jackson - drums
Sean Conly - bass
Vinicius Barros - bass

Gene Jackson joined the Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter Quartet in 1991 and remained Herbie Hancock's drummer for 9 historic years, helping to shape a new sound for the group and himself. (until 2000). He subsequently joined the Dave Holland group, and is now one of the most in demand drummers in the world. He has been touring and recording with Vana for 3 years....more about Gene at www.genejacksonmusic.com

Sean Conly has toured and/or recorded with Freddy Hubbard, Gregory Tardy, Ray Barretto, Charles Blenzig, Michael Franks,Tom Harrell, Andrew Hill, Nicholas Payton, James Moody , Mike Stern, Rick Margitza a.o. In 2000, Sean toured with The Newport Millenium Celebration featuring Cedar Walton, Rany Brecker, Howard Alden , Lou Tobackin a.o. He has been touring and recording with Vana for 5 years....more about Sean at www.myspace.com/seanconly

Living in Brazil, Vinicius Barros is a long-time member of the Sao Paulo Jazz Sinfonica Orchestra, and has performed/recorded with David Sanchez, Joao Bosco, Dori Caymmi, Ivan Lins, Rosa Passos, Toninho Horta, and many other Brazilian greats. He has been touring & recording with the Vana Trio plus Brazilian Percussion for 4 years.

Reviews:

"Vana is a highly polished technical whiz, whose vocabulary is brimming with complex lines, flourishes, runs that traverse the range of the piano, and contemporary harmonic approaches. He possesses a polished sense of rhythm in the tradition of prior masters. The performance included his compositions "Low Features", "Healing In Foreign Lands", "Gatinha Sabidinha", covering samba grooves and a ballad. The latter piece featured an exciting three-drummer dialogue, growing out of the dynamic Brazilian percussion. Vana on low tom with mallet and [drummer] Gene Jackson ramped up the energy on this samba percussion feature."

Eric Niemeyer, Jazz Improv Magazine


"This is a tight knit group that has been together for some time, which showed in their musical communication on stage. Vana - alternating melodic lyricism with more aggressive rhythmic and harmonic tension building - was a musical sorcerer brewing potions with the group that lead to many exciting high points throughout the performance. His colorful register-spanning right-hand runs seemed effortless which only added to their hypnotic effect. His original compositions are moving and full of beautiful transformations. And while he got himself into daring improvisations with the group, he never lost sight of
the composition itself, bringing melodies back with new and different weight. The intense, moving and elegant presence of Vana and his group is unique, and I strongly recommend going to see and hear them wherever you can catch them next...."

Roberta Zlokower (Roberta on the Arts, New York)