Baroqueswing Vol. II

Abstract

This CD saw the light in 2016, after the Festival Musikdorf Ernen in Ernen, Switzerland, where the previous year I had the privilege of performing with my trio during the international Baroque week for the fifth consecutive year. Earlier that year I recorded Baroqueswing Vol. I under my own recording label as the sixth album of my career. This first Baroqueswing disc generated interest from various recording companies and resulted in the recording of Baroqueswing Vol. II. This concert recording is my first international CD release on the Swiss CLAVES record label.

For the concert I compiled a new jazz programme of works from the Baroque but all re-arranged for jazz piano trio. All the arrangements on the disc are my original work and the performance in the Church of St. Georg was recorded LIVE in front of a sold out audience, without any editing.

CLAVES records is Switzerland’s leading recording label and was founded in 1968. As a reputable recording company, it has many well known artists on its catalogue including Claudio Abbado, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Heinz Holliger, and Theresa Berganza to name but a few. The aim with the Baroqueswing Vol. II project was to release the first cross-over project on the CLAVES label in the international music market that could compete with already established products in the crossover field of jazz and classical music.

The Tonmeister for the recording was the well-known Jean-Claude Gaberel, who was also responsible for the mastering. The presentation of the CD is a high-gloss digi-pack with printing quality of the highest standard done in Austria with program notes by the arranger and Patrick Peikert (Producer).

The musical content is aimed to enlighten the listening experience of the connoisseur but not to deter the inexperienced listener, whilst still exuding musical joy, good taste and at time a display of virtuosity. A varied programme with multiple styles, genres and a wide pianistic scope is presented.

The CD was released in 2016 and has received positive reviews from both international and local media and was awarded a South African Music Award (SAMA) in 2017 as best Classical/Instrumental album. This product is available for international sale/download on iTunes and Amazon.