Johannes Mössinger & Joe Lovanno Monks Corner - DMCHR71032 - Jazz - par Double Moon

Johannes Mössinger – one of the most remarkable young German pianists – was able to win over bassist German Klaiber and the drummer Karl Latham for a tour. The theme of the concert series was formed by the compositions of the legendary Thelonious Monk in original arrangements and individual interpretations. At the end of the tour, the three were in total agreement: they had to take this program into the studio. After Joe Lovano heard the first recordings, which were made of the tour trio in Germany, he spontaneously declared that he was willing to play along on a few songs in New York as an additional treat. Consequently, a “big name“ was not simply bought here, but instead interest in the music was the decisive factor. The partner of many years of Karl Latham, the bassist Kermit Driscoll, was included in the trio in New York. Three additional pearls were contributed in “The Studio“ there, all first takes by the way! The long years of experience of all those involved (Driscoll studied bass with Jaco Pastorius and has played with Bill Frisell, Joey Baron and Dave Douglas among many others; Latham was the drummer for Larry Coryell, Ed Cherry, Dave Valentine, to name just a few) resulted in a relaxed, intensive session atmosphere as it rarely experienced. Numerous CDs already exist, which have Monk’s compositions as a topic. But Johannes Mössinger has avoided that which is often attempted in these “tributes”: copying the individual (and unmatched at the time) piano style of Monk’s. Instead, he gives the compositions his own, individual credo with his own arrangements and consequently shows the music in another light. The album is rounded off by four of his own compositions: Twilight, Quirilunga, Back Up and Tango Du Soleil. Johannes Mössinger deserves credit for this album, which is another mosaic stone in the continuation of his successful career. In the wake of 5 CDs (two of them on Double Moon Records), which he has recorded, and appearances on international stages from Lebanon all the way to New York and Washington, “Monk’s Corner” has the potential to make him known outside of Germany too. We suggest “Brilliant Corners” as a song you’ve got to hear and which does not have to take a back seat to the first legendary recording with Sonny Rollins. This song makes it especially clear why Joe Lovano was so excited upon hearing this trio!