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Marching The Classics/Balkan Rhapsody – Jazz Club

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Some of the grooviest classical piano work you'll ever hope to hear, thanks to the keyboard talents of the amazing Eugen Cicero – heard here on a two rare albums of material recorded for the MPS label! Back in the 60s, a number of European artists were experimenting with a blend of classics and jazz – but few did it as well as Cicero, who could hit the keys with the fluidity of a concert pianist, but make the whole thing swing like some of his best jazz labelmates! The set begins with Marching The Classics – which has Cicero really swinging some unlikely numbers – march numbers from Mozart, Strauss, and others – taken at quick tempos that really move wonderfully with very fluid piano lines from Eugen, and work on bass from JA Rettenbacher, and drums from Kenny Clarke. Titles include "Aida March", "Carmen March", "Boccaccio March", "Love Of The Three Oranges March", and "Radetzky March". Balkan Rhapsody features wonderful tunes sourced from Balkan folklore, but also revamped strongly by Eugen Cicero – to give them a swinging 60s piano sound overall! Great credit here goes to the members of his trio – Peter Witte on bass and the legendary Charly Antolini on drums, the latter of whom had a sense of tightness that really brought a new sense of energy to these tracks. Titles include "Der Gehort Mein Ganzes Leben", "Memories Of Clausenberg", "Suber Sang Ertront", "Dort In Der Ferne", "Ima Modenschein", and "Der Schlitten Eilt".  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.