Bastian Stein - Viktor (2016) [Hi-Res]

Viktor is the name of trumpeter Bastian Stein's second Pirouet CD. It breaks out and into a completely new soundscape. Forgoing a harmony instrument, Stein along with saxophonist Johannes Enders, bassist Phil Donkin, and drummer James Maddren conjure up fascinating sounds with enormous latitude – sounds that have an unusually personal touch.

'What a tone!' exclaims one critic, another extols his 'flawless style'. They all agree: Bastian Stein's first CD for the Pirouet label highlights the young trumpeter as an especially fresh, powerful voice in jazz. Now calling Cologne home, Stein was born in Heidelberg, Germany in 1983. He grew up in Vienna where he began studying trumpet at the age of 15. Later in Amsterdam he studied with the great jazz trumpeter Ack van Rooyen and refined his play in New York studying with Bo Nilsson. With such outstanding abilities, it makes sense that he plays with pianist Pablo Held, one of the major new forces in German jazz. Pablo is no longer present on 'Viktor', Stein's new CD. The new band is composed purposely without a chordal instrument; instead, two wind instruments, bass and drums – a composition that allows the musicians to play much more 'openly, with more variety'. The results: music with a lot of freedom of movement. Stein dedicates the CD to his son Viktor, and then gets to work. Standing next to Stein is Saxophonist Johannes Enders, a giant of a man with a big tone who has been a professor in Leipzig since 2008. On bass, Phil Donkins, on drums, James Maddren, two much-in-demand young Brits. The one is known for his play with saxophonist Marius Neset, the other for his work with pianist Gwilym Simcock. The CD concludes with a gracious bow to the composer Gustav Mahler. Bastian Stein's 'Viktor' – a very personal take on jazz that gazes over wide horizons.

Bastian Stein, trumpet
Johannes Enders, tenor saxophone
Phil Donkin, bass
James Maddren, drums

Tracklist:
01. Bastian Stein - Tati (7:12)
02. Bastian Stein - Hydrastis (7:40)
03. Bastian Stein - Traces (5:50)
04. Bastian Stein - It Seems (5:09)
05. Bastian Stein - Off the Record (4:21)
06. Bastian Stein - For Felician (6:16)
07. Bastian Stein - Fantasia (3:25)
08. Bastian Stein - Der Abschied (5:25)