THE FENSTERS: Jazz Music Vol. 1

The Fensters

Jazz Music Vol. 1

© 1992 Arta

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"THE FENSTERS present energy-charged, thrilling jazz. All four are masters of their instruments, with extremely delicate, brilliant improvisations and thoughtful, pregnant compositions...and man, do they swing."

notes

"Having seen the development of these musicians over the past decade, first as apprentices and now as artists, I can honestly say that this is one of the best groups around. "
-David Liebman


"Totally contemporary playing and writing with a real sense of the jazz tradition. Excellent!"
-John Abercrombie


THE FENSTERS: ALAN JONES, drums; PAUL IMM, acoustic bass; FRANCOIS THEBERGE and ANDY MIDDLETON, tenor and soprano saxophones; a band created by four strong and highly individual voices. Four musicians, each having established an international reputation in their own right, came together in France in 1991 to begin a series of musical "conversations".
The FENSTER concept is to create music in which the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements are not the responsibility of any individual player but shared equally by all of the musicians. (AIAN JONES and PAUL IMM play some beautiful melodies in their "rhythm" section, and there are definitely some interesting rhythms coming from FRANCOIS THEBERGE'S and ANDY MIDDLETON'S saxophones.)
THE FENSTERS use two saxophones, acoustic bass, and drums to express simple and complex harmonies contrapuntally using the four voices available to them without the need of a chordal instrument. One might even argue that a piano or guitar would detract from the space and clarity that their unique instrumentation creates.
THE FENSTERS have toured extensively throughout Europe, the United States, and Canada playing jazz festivals, concerts, and clubs, as well as teaching master classes and working with young players. They won the 1st Prize award in the "13th Europe International Jazz Contest". THE FENSTERS currently have 2 CD's available; "Jazz Music Volume 1" on Arta Records and "Jazz Music Vol X" on A-records.


ANDY MIDDLETON - TENOR and SOPRANO SAXOPHONES

Andy Middleton has performed with Lionel Hampton, Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Maria Schneider, and Barbara Dennerlein among others. In addition to his credits recording as a sideman with artists such as Lionel Hampton, John Abercrombie, Adam Nussbaum and Danny Gottlieb, Middleton's 3 solo CDs ("Nomad's Notebook" Intuition Records, 1999; "Terra Infirma", Owl Records/EMI France, 1995; "Acid Rain", Owl Records 1991) have featured Dave Holland, Ralph Towner, Renee Rosnes, and Joey Calderazzo. Middleton won the First Prize and Best Soloist Awards at the 13th Europ' Jazz Contest in 1991, and was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Performance Grant (USA) in 1996. He studied jazz at the University of Miami, the Banff Centre of Fine Arts, and privately with David Liebman, Richie Beirach, Joe Lovano and Michael Brecker. Mr. Middleton lives in Brooklyn, New York.


FRANCOIS THEBERGE - TENOR AND SOPRANO SAXOPHONES

Francois Theberge has performed throughout the world with such artists as Frank Sinatra, Red Rodney, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Archie Shepp, Johnny Griffin, Rosemary Clooney, Tom Harrell, Michel Legrande, Phil Woods, Toots Thielemans, Kenny Wheeler and many others. His CD release "Asteur" (Lazer Prod. 1997) featuring Horace Parlan was nominated in France for "Best Jazz Album 1997" and Francois was nominated "Best New Talent" in 1998. His recording credits also include work with Mike Zwerin, Carlos Baretto, and Jean-Michel Pilc. Francois studied at the Eastman School of Music and the University of Miami, and is Professor of Jazz Arranging and Composing at the Paris Conservatory. Mr. Theberge lives in Paris.


ALAN JONES - DRUMS

Alan Jones has performed extensively throughout Europe and North America with Charlie Mariano, David Liebman, Jim Pepper, Bennie Wallace, Don Thompson, Glen Moore, Kenny Wheeler, Mose Allison, and David Friesen among others. He has recorded with Dave Holland, Ralph Towner, Jim Pepper, David Friesen, Renee Rosnes, Wayne Darling, Airto Moriera, and The Alan Jones Sextet (produced by Gino Vannelli). Mr. Jones studied jazz at the Berklee School of Music as well as the Banff Centre for Fine Arts, and currently resides in Portland, Oregon.


PAUL IMM - BASS

Paul Imm has performed throughout the world with jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Charlie Rouse, Eddie Harris, Steve Lacy, Lee Konitz, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Tom Harrell, Kenny Werner, Wolfgang Engstfeld and Jim Pepper, among others. Paul is very active as a sideman in Europe on many projects and performances and he has recorded with Kenny Werner, Tom Harrell, Markus Becker, and Peter Bolte. He studied with David Baker at the University of Indiana and currently resides in Berlin, Germany.

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