C.L. Hübsch > Projects > Carl Ludwig Hübsch's Primordial Soup

Axel Dörner - trumpet Frank Gratkowski - reeds Michael Griener - drums, percussion Carl Ludwig Hübsch - tuba, composition In selecting the above-named players I have taken on the task of writing wonderful compositions, which have to be played by fantastic improvisers. I am interested in the specific sound concepts of the participants and have devoted myself to delving into each one's technical ability and musical predilections. In addition to the sound and structural levels, a playing level is important to me: I strive to develop a playbook for each composition which presents improvisational stipulations as a worktool for the collective, organic cultivation of what has been written. In the final analysis, I can only count on my collegues and myself to create good music through the use of these many notes, signs and agreements. This is, after all, our raison d'etre. There will certainly be march music, perhaps a taste of a delicacy from Spain, some very serious moments and the occasional "joyful noise"... . samples:  soupsample1  soupsample2 THE CD: Hübschs Primordial Soup (RedToucan9331) 2007 Carl Ludwig Hübschs Primordial Soup | Red Toucan Records (2007) By Mark Corroto (...)Primordial Soup is made up of German free jazz stars, yet they are called upon to navigate some very complex compositions. That is not to say that the pieces do not allow for some extended improvisation. It is just the knowing where the written stops and the free starts that is beyond recognition. The opening track, a twelve-minute introduction into Primordial Soup«s mission statement tentatively slips across as a classical piece of music that is extended, elongated and infused with improvisation tools. Midway through NGC 2271 Hades Bb the logical progression of the composition stops. The nothingness begins again with trumpeter Axel Dörner«s whispered breath technique. Is it the same song, but with a written passage of silence? It certainly must be the breathy growls and uttered tones, whether improvised or notated, are mood stabilizers. It is as if the composer has written with tools that are all now familiar within free jazz; he has simply gathered them into his color palate for music making. The obvious reference for a track like NGC 2273 Vier/Four with the off-kilter measure and the tuba bottom is Anthony Braxton. But Hübsch is less serious (in the best sense of the word) than Braxton. Compositions written here must have been developed with the individual players in mind.Hübsch allows the familiar playing of Dörner and Gratkowski to blossom as he does not straightjacket each player by his writing.For his part, the drummer Michael Griener is a colorist and a fine collaborator with the other players. This music might be one of the finer examples of how free jazz can be tailored into not randomly coherent, but orchestrated, coherence. THE MUSICIANS: Axel Dörner born 1964 in Cologne, 1988-89 studied piano at the Conservatory of Arnheim (NL) 1989-96 studied piano and trumpet (with Malte Burba) at the Academy of Music in Cologne. Has lived in Berlin since1994. Has worked together with numerous musicians of international import in the areas of improvised music, new music and jazz. He developed an exceptional, very personal style of trumpet playing, based partly on rare techniques mixed with his own inventive style. Frank Gratkowski *Born in Hamburg, 1963. ęAlto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, flute, composition Studied at the Hamburg Conservatory (Hamburger Musikhochschule) at the Cologne Conservatory of Music with Heiner Wiberny, graduating in 1990. Further studies with Charlie Mariano, Sal Nistico and Steve Lacy. Soloist in various international formations (Musikfabrik NRW, Tony Oxley Celebration Orchestra, Bentje Braam, WDR Big band etc.). Solo performances throughout Europe, Canada and USA. Duo w/Georg Graewe (CD "VicissEtudes"). "Frank Gratkowski Trio" w/ Dieter Manderscheid, Gerry Hemingway, +Wolter Wierbos. Duo w/ Sebastiano Tramontan, Trio w/ Wilbert De Jode + Paul Lovens.. Frank Gratkowski played on nearly every German and on numerous international Jazz Festivals. He has been teaching saxophone and ensembles at the Cologne, Hannover and Berlin Conservatory of Music and is giving workshops all around the world as well. Michael Griener moved from Nürnberg to Berlin some years ago and since then is one of the most demanded drummers for all cases. Played with traditional heroes like Herb Ellis, radikal players like Barry Guy, stars of the Berlin scene like Axel Dörner or sound explorers like Zeena Parkins. He proofed to be the perfect player for all oppourtunities as he understands to play the most special idea in his very own way finding the right balance between his own play and the given context. His selftought stile merging flow and fragility is unique as well as his coolness. Eric Mandel for the program of Jazz Fest Berlin `99 Carl Ludwig Hübsch tuba, composition drum- and singing studies Freiburg, south Germany, classical tuba training. Studies in improvisation, tuba (H.Gelhar) and composition (J.Fritsch) in Cologne. Played Jazz-, Improvised or New Music with Lester Bowie, W. Breuker, M. Schubert, Frank Gratkowski, Jasper vanĒt Hof, Arthur Blythe a.m.o. Numerous radio- und CD-produktions. Composes music for theatre . Toured India, Namibia and the USA. 2002: OMI fellowship in the USA. 2003: "Jazzpott"-award Essen                                 click here for tourdates

Menue