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Musicians: Joe Haider p, Thomi Geiger ts, ss, Giorgos Antoniou b, Daniel Aebi d, Modern String Quartet
Recording date: 17-18 October, 2005
Recording place: Radiostudio Zürich
Joe Haider is celebrating his 70th birthday this year, and he has given himself the best present possible: his quartet composed of its usual members and reinforced by one of the most renowned European string ensembles, the Modern String Quartet conducted by Joerg Widmoser. This is an unusual project in every sense of the word: new compositions in the field of tension between exciting modern jazz and sensual sounds. The two quartets are completely equally here and fuse to form a body of sounds really worth listening to.
Haider, born in Darmstadt 1936, has not only helped write the history of jazz in Europe, but has also contributed to increasing the popularity of the genre via many other activities (e.g., in the legendary jazz club "Domicile" in Munich in the 60s). He has also worked untiringly to promote the next generation and will certainly be remembered fondly for a long time by many generations of musicians as the head of the renowned Swiss Jazz School in Bern (1984-1995).
But this extremely agile pianist is far from sitting on his laurels; to the contrary, "Mysterious" again proves how innovative, versatile and exiting jazz has always been and is. Jazz bands have often collaborated with string ensembles, but the Modern String Quartet is involved here! And it is not a question of only of some sugar-sweet interludes underlining the jazz sounds with a string movement.
The Modern String Quartet has existed for more than 20 years and has accompanied numerous international stars during this time. It has toured through Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and even four times in the USA and has released 9 CDs. This is a quartet that knows all the ropes - style and genre limits are unknown to the ensemble. This is not simply a supplement to a jazz band. Together with Joe Haider and his fellow musicians, they succeed in creating a homogenous, compact sound, which also generates a devilish groove.
The musicians, who have played with Haider for many years, Thomi Geiger on saxophones, Daniel Aebi on the drums and Giorgos Antoniou, are not only great musicians in their own right, but even seem to be filled with more enthusiasm working with their leader to create the most beautiful birthday record of all times.
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