Sat 14.12

21:00 A Focus On Lorenz Raab


1. On the one hand: (Raab) "The demo tape I brought with me is not really representative.... I don't know myself what I'll do in concert. Maybe a couple of pieces by Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Wheeler, Sam Rivers. Maybe a couple of Standards or some theme of my own. How would I describe the tape stylistically? Bebop, Cool, Modal, Free? I couldn't care less about these categories. My favorite trumpeter? The most important one everyone already knows. Models? Not the way you mean. Did I bring my bio.? You guys need such things? The trumpet... actually it's a hell of an instrument (ein Scheißinstrument)... holding a note for hours on end, problems with attack, fever blisters... the pits." I'm sure you'll agree, great cities weren't built by snivellers like these.

2. On the other hand: Already at 21 -- at the age when most rural kids are still just opening their mouths only to do some serious guzzling -- Lorenz Raab displays a degree of musical confidence and technical mastery that many of his colleagues on this 'Scheißinstrument' would give a lot for. Whether or not proof of his collaboration with such obscure entities as the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra (under Abbado), the Oskar Aichinger Octet, Fame for Shame, Trompeteria and Ton*Art is needed as a recommendation is something the powers-that-be will have to decide. In any case, when you come across someone with such razor-sharp virtuosity, a big sound, impeccable timing, a feeling for form and drama, the temptation is great to start speaking of a kind of "little man's Marsalis". If however, as in the case of Raab, a thinking head resides (which, we say cautiously, is apparently not always the case with jazzers) between the two "big" ears (where often you only find a gas cap), you don't have to worry that the "overabundant" musical-handicraft funding is being squandered on a lift-it-up&swill-it-down patterned simpleton.

3. Beyond this: Since everything (Achtung! Dialectics) has three sides, here's a little bit of poetry for the trip into the night... House lyricist RD would add: Vote together, it's not in vain. Raab for Bundeskanzler again! KP
Admission: ATS 120.-


24:00 Alegre Corrêa Sextet

Admission: ATS 150.-


PORGY & BESS, SPIEGELGASSE 2, 1010 WIEN, TEL: 512 84 38