Paul Kuhn Big Band - My Private Collection: Live at the Philharmonie Cologne (2016) [Hi-Res]

During his unique and many decades lasting career Paul Kuhn has been connected to many orchestras and spots in a cordial way full of anecdotes. Yet his relationship with the Philharmonie Cologne is of a special, very familiar kind. Since the opening in 1986 he has returned to guest annually, and in 1988 he even celebrated his wedding day there. Thus it seems that the given title 'My Private Collection' for his performance with Big Band, recorded on Boxing Day 2004, is very suitable, reflecting his close link with the Cologne venue - and from the very first bar on this closeness communicates as well to the listener at home.

Already with the witty opener, Woody Hermans 'Woodchoppers Ball', Kuhn introduces the horn section of his big band in a wonderful mood. The title track, a medley ranging from the romantic 'Sommerwind' to Cole Porters 'I get A Kick Out Of You' shines with his typically non-chalant vocal tone. In a surprising adaptation of 'Georgia On My Mind' he even demonstrates that he's kindred spirits with Ray Charles. Then he invites his combo to an expedition from Cologne to New Orleans, crossing various decades of jazz history. The ballad 'Angel Eyes' gets bulbous with Ludwig Nuss' trombone, and with a charming wink Kuhn himself delivers a swinging declaration of love in 'I'm Gonna Sit Right Down...' With his long time stage companion Peter Weniger Kuhn develops an intimate dialogue between piano and saxophone as an elegant intermezzo, before Verdis 'Trovatore' and Mancinis 'Pink Panther' pass by in the final. Once more it is 'hats off' to a man who - at the age of nearly 78 - just tours with his colleagues Max Greger and Hugo Strasser to unite Germany's most celebrated band leaders in swing. We wish Paul Kuhn many years of creative power and stage presence to come, just the way it has been caught very vividly on this brilliant live recording.

Paul Kuhn, piano, vocals
Thomas Vogel, trumpet
Martin Reuthner, trumpet
Rüdiger Baldauf, trumpet
Jörg Brohm, trumpet
Ludwig Nuss, trombone
Hans-Jörg Fink, trombone
Uli Plettendorff, bass trombone
Wolf Schenk, tuba
Stefan Pfeifer, saxophone
Mathias Erlewein, saxophone
Peter Weniger, saxophone
Johannes Seidemann, saxophone
Marcus Bartelt, saxophone
Hubert Nuss, piano
Tom Wohlert, guitar
Gary Todd, bass
Willy Ketzer, drums

Digitally remastered