TANJA FEICHTMAIR - Omnixus + Solo
Leo Records CD LR 852
Tanja Feichtmair, alto saxophone; Scott Looney, piano; Hugh Livingston, cello; Damon Smith, bass
‘Omnixus’ recorded at Jazzatelier, Ulrichsberg; ‘Solo’ recorded at Miles Smiles, Vienna, 2009/2011
This is an album in two parts, the first 33 minutes ‘Omnixus’ from Feichtmair’s quartet, the rest from her solo alto saxophone, live in concert. She is mentally quick and highly skilled in her improvisations, audacious in her explorations and very much in control of handling her instrument. Her resonance and mellowness are simply stunning.
The other three members of the quartet are a trio of American musicians on tour and their participation and collaboration with the alto are supremely intelligent, listening to and hearing her leadership and hearing each other. This inevitably renders a complete improvisation, a true cooperation, an absolute collective.
The music from all quarters is mellifluous and the four musicians are clearly engrossed. They are also reaching out, bravely, with their offerings of enunciations, niceties, rhythms and shades, all delivered coherently, lucidly and impassioned. The album is a triumph.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Leo Records CD LR 852
Tanja Feichtmair, alto saxophone; Scott Looney, piano; Hugh Livingston, cello; Damon Smith, bass
‘Omnixus’ recorded at Jazzatelier, Ulrichsberg; ‘Solo’ recorded at Miles Smiles, Vienna, 2009/2011
This is an album in two parts, the first 33 minutes ‘Omnixus’ from Feichtmair’s quartet, the rest from her solo alto saxophone, live in concert. She is mentally quick and highly skilled in her improvisations, audacious in her explorations and very much in control of handling her instrument. Her resonance and mellowness are simply stunning.
The other three members of the quartet are a trio of American musicians on tour and their participation and collaboration with the alto are supremely intelligent, listening to and hearing her leadership and hearing each other. This inevitably renders a complete improvisation, a true cooperation, an absolute collective.
The music from all quarters is mellifluous and the four musicians are clearly engrossed. They are also reaching out, bravely, with their offerings of enunciations, niceties, rhythms and shades, all delivered coherently, lucidly and impassioned. The album is a triumph.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
