This double-CD documents two concerts held to celebrate multi-reedist Frank Gratkowski's 40th birthday. The music is comprised of free improvisations, with the nearly 64-minute "The Morning Beckons" performed one night by a septet and saxophonist Tobias Delius making the group an octet for three pieces on the next night. The three (sometimes four) horns leave space for each other and mostly engage in sound explorations. The most interesting playing is usually by the two bassists, who are suppor...   [ read more ]

CD $33.23

CD $18.03

Recorded live at The Loft in Cologne in January 2006, Celebrations features three-quarters of Frank Gratkowski's long-standing quartet. The missing member is trombonist Wolter Wierbos, here traded in for pianist Simon Nabatov. Gratkowski and Nabatov had previously played together, most notably at Leo Records' 25th anniversary concerts, held in January 2004 at the same venue. At that occasion the pair had performed in a trio with drummer Paul Lovens and a quartet with Lovens an...   [ read more ]

CD $18.03