Stomping @ the Savoy
Wed 03-11-2010 | 18 : 00
JazzTalk ‘Two for the Blues’
Homage to Jon Hendricks
Venue: Hotel Savoy Berlin
Opening festival in Savoy Hotel is a long time tradition here in Berlin
and it really does have special taste .Not only because old lovely building is a great host and nice place to be in .Mostly due to Organisers always have something special under his jacket ,an event which is one off ,but to keep in your memory forever. There was no exception this time as well. Introducing Emil Mangelsdorff and Siegfried Schmidt-Joos to the very first audience Nils Landgren officially opened 46th edition of the Berlin JazzFest.
Emil Mangelsdorff is already the living legend of the German jazz scene and it is a fact which does not need any further research .He was the one who introduced his brother Albert into the jazz in his early days , and then when he picked up a trombone in 1948 whole jazz has never been the same again. As Albert Mangelsdorff used to be an artistic director of Berliner Jazz Fest since 1995 till 2001 when Nils Landgren replaced him to continue on this honorary position- whole history just making the circle here .And such is a subject of two gentleman conversation entitled “ Two for Blues “.
Publicist Siegfried Schmidt-Joos and Emil Mangelsdorff set the mood for the cinematic portrait of Jon Hendricks – The Legend of modern vocalise and a hero of Malte Rauch’s documentary - “ Blues March – Soldat Jon Hendricks ” for which Mangelsdorff and his pianist Thilo Wagner have created the original film score and which had been presented to audience next after opening event . But it was not just that .
Whole conversation had been based on the core of Mike Zwerin’s book called “Swing under den Nazis “ ,published the 1st time in London in 1986 and personal Emil Mangelsdorff’s memories of these days . As a Witness of nazi era he was able to say us directly how the things had been then .He also brought with himself reprints of official documents regulating the rules about the way of playing jazz music issued by Goebbels propaganda office.
These reading in a front of public ,same of his memories were nothing else just a shock for a
modern listener’s ears. War had been finished just over 50 years and its influence is still a point in a modern European relations – people remembering these days are still alive as their traumatised memories are. Mangelsdorff himself ,as a member of the (illegal) Frankfurt Hot Club - performing of jazz lead him to being imprisoned by the Gestapo. Then he was forced into the Hitler army and was a Russian prisoner of war for four years in result. So it would be hard to find if possible - more competent person to make a talk like that .
He displayed in colourful and intriguing words lots of sad memories about days run on racism , intolerance and disrespect. But also made a point about how important is a jazz heritage with all his vitality ,viability and a hidden power for all of us ,just by exposing the fact : how danger thing was it defined like by nazi propaganda office and how many affect had been put by them to destroy it .I can only guess how amazing will be reading this relation for Americans if it was so unexpected for me as a European guy ? Just a marriage of Jazz and Nazism on his own is an eye catching thing enough to make you being interested to read about. From perspective of time it is just a precious witness on his own ,being given by a person who is a legend of jazz and a victim of nazism in one.
Of course ,as it was a tribute to Jon Hendricks , many related things about documentary make had been said by movie director as well as commentary about the war time relationships with Afro American soldiers ,their influence for Europeans etc.
But it is a subject of the movie ,so lets leave it for later on .
To finish review about this opening JazzTalk only I would like to highly recommend it to everyone ,but I can not as it was one off ,just as been said .But what I can recommend is :
Go for the book , read it and be aware ,as there is lots amazing things in about ,
and next ,if there will be any chance around the world sooner or later enjoy the movie ,as this is very special thing too – a documentary like nothing before .At least done by German director and jazzysensitive human being in one , fifty four years after the WW II .
Blues March – Soldat Jon Hendricks
Film by Malte Rauch (2009)
Wed 03-11-2010 | 20:30
Blues March – Soldat Jon Hendricks
Film by Malte Rauch (2009)
Venue: Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Side Stage
„In World War II the Allied forces liberated Germany from fascism, but many American
soldiers fought on two fronts at the same time. Approximately one million African American GIs were exposed not only to an external enemy but also to the racism among
their peers.
The documentary Blues March – Soldat Jon Hendricks (“Blues March – Soldier Jon
Hendricks”) uncovers this largely unknown aspect of the war years on the basis of
Jon Hendricks’ life story. Hendricks, the now 87 years old doyen of jazz singing, came
to Normandy as a soldier at very young age and was compelled to desert from the
hostility of his white comrades. Malte Rauch’s fast-paced film tells an adventurous
story about war, conspiracy, escape, black marketing, forced labour, vindication and
an exceptional career as an entertainer. This is the stirring story of a man whose pride
always exceeded his fear.” - from BJF press releasess.
As had been said before this is truly extraordinary document. The basic content of it seems to be a series of interviews , fragments of stage performers of Jon Hendricks ,taken currently and from the archives. Mixed together with pieces of war documentary illustrating second WW period related to what Afro American troops generally and Hendricks particularly had been a part of .But this is just a top layer of it .What is really important is laying just underneath. There is a true story of Black Americans freedom movement as rough as it was .
We all are aware these days how their life was looking like .All the inglorious true about lynches ,murders and lack of respect for their humanity in every aspect of life .There is no sense in bringing it back here. There is another story about how The Jazz came to Europe and
hit a community .There is a background truly explaining what happened after the war and why people had been already prepared for appearing of the jazz artists on the tours in the 50’s and 60’s ? Why Gordon and Webster , between many others ,could stay in Northern Europe not missing states ? Why Miles was considering staying in France in the middle of fifties ?
All explained in simple commentary about respect and gratefulness. How strange it was to get the freedom back from the hands who does not posses it in their own country . There is where it all started .Hendricks’ trip back to war days just explained easily to today’s audience how strange feelings they all had about .After all they knew very well that the coming back home in this particular meaning will be a step back for them too ,as they could not expect same level of honesty and gratitude they just tasted in Europe .They knew very well that for them it will be beginning of the fight for freedom ,not the end .But they also got back home stronger .
Influenced with new vision of how their life should be looking like .Proud as they deserved to be ,some of them for very first time .Hendricks and his war mates who appears in the documentary ,they all remember war as an amazing experience .Obviously as a time of a death and terror too ,as it was – but also ,paradoxically as a first time when had been given a chance to feel sweet wind of freedom in its essential meaning.
This things just reminded me a BBC documentary about ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary).
The civil organisation connected with RAF, grouping female pilots for flying back machines which need to be repaired or had to be delivered from factories to any particular places.
The ladies agreeably said that the day when war had been finished was a disaster for them .
Most traumatic thing and the end of the adventurous and full of excitement life. After that they had been reduced to the level of householders ,housekeepers and house pets ,with no chance for personal carrier in the fields traditionally reserved for a men.
This is a man’s man’s world as James Brown was singing 21 tears later.
Apart from that it was a great document about Hendricks as a singer too. For me he is an iconic vocalist who deserves truly to be worshipped really ,not only be recognisable.
But I know that it is not like that in the real world . At least the people who never heard about him have opportunity to know and dig dipper to find more .
His qualities as a singer are nicely blended here with his image as a soldier .It shows that in the real life everything counts equally. Who you are is what makes you able to be You.
Lovely and deeply touching movie full of historical facts which are not so obvious and lots of true which everybody might suspect ,but not all would be able to find out .
I am aware that everyone with different background may not find there lots similar things as I found and lot of different instead . But this is actually the greatest thing about what The Art. is. The best summary however as well as a most honest are coming from Hendricks’ mouth in one of the final scenes .He returned to the France recently ,where he was presented the Legion d’Honour by the governor of Normandy. While being there he had been asked about :
Why in his opinion the jazz seems to be more popular here in Europe than in USA ?
He responded succinctly and straight forward :
“ Because the Europeans never owned us “
At the end it must to be said about the music we enjoyed watching pictures as it was absolutely amazing job and precious value on its own.
The score had been composed by Emil Mangelsdorff and his pianist Thilo Wagner. Extraordinary score just melded everything on the screen perfectly ,giving a feeling of complexity and showing a talent which both musicians put on the top of it .But I am sure that Malte Rauch already knew that when he asked them to write this music ,as well as I like to believe he had chosen Emil in purpose ,having hopes that the echoes of his own memories will make his vision richer and fuller.
The Blast from the Past
Wed 03-11-2010 | 22:30
Emil Mangelsdorff Quartet
Venue: Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Side Stage
Emil Mangelsdorff Quartett
Emil Mangelsdorff · alto sax
Thilo Wagner · piano
Vitold Rek · bass
Janusz Stefanski · drums
After 15 minute break it already happened. The first concert on this edition of the festival .
Emil Mangelsdorff Quartet appeared on the stage ,previously prepared for them.
With Thilo Wagner ,co-composer of the score on the piano and Poland born ,but already well ingrown in an German jazz scene rhythmic section : Vitold Rek on the bass and Janusz Stefanski on drums. Rek was one of the main bass force in the 80’s on the polish jazz scene and a member of Stanko’s Freelectronic . As well Stefanski was the one who was current on almost all recordings from 60’s – 70’s period I was growing on from artists like Stanko ,Kulpowicz ,Niemen or Namyslowski to just mention a few best known.. I was really exited about this set as I never heard him live on the stage .Never heard Wagner either as well.
They started with Dizzy’s “Night in Tunisia”. Tune that every jazz fan heard before.
How lovely it had been played however it is a different story . Benny Golson’s “I remember Clifford “ followed .Next Parker’s “ Confirmation” ,sweet and gentle “ Someday My Prince Will Come”. Again Parker – “Ornithology” and couple more from Horace Silver if I remember well. So as everyone can see very classic set .The Quartet sound really good together .They found the way how to present classic material in the fresh way with whole respect for original compositions given. Mangelsdorff ‘s sax had very sonorous sound ,however it never being too loud or over forced .When he played Parker’s tune everyone could easily guess why they called Charlie “ The Bird “.His play was so melodic ,rich and fresh like a lark’s song at the morning. It is just about the quality of compositions on their own ,particularly –“ Ornithology” ,as they had been composed. With all this compulsive rhythm hidden under skin. Even if Emil’s tone is closer to the Lester’s sound than the Bird’s one his phrasing was simply perfect and was reminding Bird’s “ flying high “ immediately.
Specially for the reason his blow is very His and it just makes his tone so personal.
The rhythm section was just as it should be – building basement for leaders walking and giving him open and save space for whatever he would like to be after . Rek’s deep and rich tone I like so much was there all the time creating making background you could only dream about .What I found in Janusz’s drumming however just made me thrill. He is the great drummer and such a good listener. His playing is soft and powerful in the same time .He is one of this guys who is able to stay perfectly swinging all the time ,does not matter if the tempo is going up or down .Another thing is an ability to increase his dynamic without changing the volume in the same time .It is just marvellous to hear it and even more to be able to see. As whole set was arranged in a very classic manner there was obviously a space left for everyone for soloing .And they all succeed perfectly as we could expect from the musicians of this calibre. I did not write a word about a pianist till now ,but I wanted to leave it for the end in purpose. What I heard from him simply made me happy it was such a joy between every single note .Rhythmical cadences on the keys were just splendid and so powerful. Particularly the right hand action and the way he was finishing melody .It was such a great contrast between his physical appearance ( as he is a tall men with an athletic posture hardly fitting the suit) and his so gentle way of setting a tune up. It was just a pleasure to watch him playing as he sounded so easy like almost no force had been used to articulate the phrase and it was such a full-bodied in the same time .The way he was playing brought a great Arthur Blythe to my eyes as they both sharing the same ability to handle sound and moderate it in the same unconstrained way. Another thing was that feeling of the blues which always was possible to be heard in his play .Something very organic and well melded into the base of his sound .The synergy he build that way with Stefanski’s rhythmic patterns was probably one of these things which made this quartet sounding so fresh and bright ,even if all they played
on this set was as classic repertoire as it was .
Fantastic opening for the festival and a beautiful concert on his own ,truly showing all the best qualities the members of this quartet are sharing . And on the end with Emil’s gentle lead ,even if it was clear who is who there – this kind of understanding they just presented does not really need any further analyse. Plus the joy of playing together which was all the time there.
What more could I expect . I went to bed happy looking for getting some rest after early morning waking up for a journey and full of hopes for following venues ,after I roughly browsed throw what had been given to me from the festival press office .
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