Must see! - Kurt Rosenwinkel with Portugal's Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos

JakeAcci · #1 01-27-2012, 12:14 PM

BigDaddyLoveHandles just posted this in another thread but I liked it so much I felt it deserved its own thread and attention.

I used to not be too into Kurt Rosenwinkel but I've been completely blown away lately.

This clip is fantastic music regardless of genre or instrument. Forget about hot guitar playing, although there is plenty of it; to me this is just an amazing musical presentation. I'm truly inspired by the focus of Kurt and the arranger here on making something that is so eloquent and well crafted yet sounds (to me) devoid of any hollow showmanship...and certainly no lack of skill on anybody's part.

Additionally, although some may say Kurt is overrated, I think that even if that's true here his reputation and recognition has given us two valuable things:
1. An opportunity to collaborate with a high level jazz orchestra - giving us, the listener, some great guitar music with a unique ensemble as far as jazz guitar goes
2. An extremely high fidelity, well crafted video that's really a treat to watch (and listen to.) It's really great to get to hear such good music in good quality and clearly see what everybody is doing.

All right, end gush...

YouTube Video

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #2 01-27-2012, 12:27 PM

I like Kurt buy he's not my hero or anything (often too fusiony for me), but I've read comments from others about this track to the effect that "it's the first Kurt track that I like". It's from "Our Secret World", a 2010 release.

FatJeff · #3 01-27-2012, 12:44 PM

Sounds pretty damn good to me...

kris · #4 01-27-2012, 01:28 PM

"Great Playing"!!!

mattymel · #5 01-27-2012, 02:56 PM

wow. i havent heard anybody say he is overrated. that would be hard to back up when half the young guitarists out there sound like kurt. but i guess anybody thats at the top of the game always gets that...

still i gotta say im just not a big fan of that record, or really any big band/guitar stuff that ive heard. thats just me though.

fumblefingers · #6 01-27-2012, 07:50 PM

band sounds good, and nice solo.

HighSpeedSpoon · #7 01-27-2012, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatJeff

Sounds pretty damn good to me...

Me too.

For me personally, whether Kurt is overrated is not a worthwhile question - ymmv. I admire his chops and artistry, and from what I hear he's industrious about his craft and a nice guy too.

Thanks for posting the link Jake.

Jazzpunk · #8 01-27-2012, 10:52 PM

This is a great album. Thanks for posting the video, I hadn't seen it.

Richb · #9 01-28-2012, 06:34 AM

Sounds freaking INCREDIBLE. One of the most memorable of the new generation tunes too. I predict Zhivago will become a standard eventually.

cosmic gumbo · #10 01-29-2012, 01:31 AM

Are big bands awesome or what!?

NSJ · #11 01-29-2012, 09:32 AM

Rudy van Gelder, Francis Wolf and Alred Lion would be damn proud of that head. Possible future standard? For sure.

It's memorable, fresh and yet very much in touch with the great past era that they presided in. What a wonderful track this is.

Makes me glad to experience jazz in 2012.

markf · #12 01-29-2012, 10:13 AM

very nice music. and a good video.

I introduced myself to Kurt at a small bar in Victoria he was playing. very down to earth, friendly person.

thanks very much.

jason30 · #13 02-04-2012, 05:07 PM

Outstanding!!!!

aniss1001 · #14 02-04-2012, 05:59 PM

Interesting.. And Kurt plays great as always

This tune wasn't my cup of tea though honestly. Too many instruments. And I'm still trying to get used to his synth-like distorted sound. Besides I guess I'm more of a mellow kind of guy. I much prefer THIS side of Kurt. Makes me drool.. :P

JakeAcci · #15 02-04-2012, 07:08 PM

Wow, that Summertime take is heavy. Thanks for that.

Too many instruments? It's an orchestra!

aniss1001 · #16 02-04-2012, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeAcci

Too many instruments? It's an orchestra!

Yes exactly! Well... it's not too many instruments to be an orchestra. Just too many for my taste. In other words I'm not too fond of orchestras, but that's just me...

And yes the Summertime take is HEAVY indeed.. and his sound / tone is AWESOME :P

Flat · #17 02-04-2012, 09:40 PM

Great clip, Jake. Thanks. I agree that Zhivago just might become a modern standard. The melody is wonderfully charming and memorable. I think this is the best thing I've heard from Rosenwinkel so far, at least to my tastes.

I get to see KR for the first time in a couple weeks at GIT. Not with this band of course, but I'm really looking forward to hearing him play in person!