Explorations, the follow up to What Have I Done?, will be released on March 17, 2023. The album showcases two ensembles from two different periods (the bulk of the album recorded in Vienna in 2001, in Zurich in 2002, with three tunes from his current Quartet, recorded in Brooklyn in 2021), having in-depth conversations, riffing off each other, chiming in, finishing each other’s “sentences”, agreeing, laughing, and most importantly, listening to and trusting one another. Neumeister explains, this album is made up of some of my favorite pieces, and examples of our music when I just give a few basic parameters and then we just play. It, of course, doesn’t hurt that we are long time colleagues who have played together for many years. ‘Trust’ being a key concept. Trust in oneself and trust in the others. Not unlike any well-functioning team. And ‘listening’, always an important aspect of any musical performance, but especially important in a situation where one must decide not only what to play but when to play, and more importantly, when not to play.”
What a treat for us to be able to listen to the compelling dialogue which transpired amongst these musicians on those days in Vienna and Zurich back in 2001 and 2002, featuring the late, great pianist, Fritz Pauer. Explorations is a recording project that began in 2001 when Neumeister’s longtime quartet (Fritz Pauer-piano, Drew Gress-bass & John Hollenbeck-drums & percussion) was on tour in tour in Europe. “Taking a page from the Duke Ellington tour book (I played in the Ellington Band for over 15 years), to take advantage of having everybody together and comfortable with the material, while on tour, I scheduled a recording session whenever possible on a day when we didn’t have a concert. The result was two CDs, New Standards (2005-MeisteroMusic 0016), and Reflection (2006-ArtistShare 0058). The tracks are very special to me because they are all completely live recordings (in the studio) without any editing, showing the expertise, sensitively and musical integrity of the players.” explains Neumeister.
Neumeister puts together amazing ensembles, and the two quartets featured here are no exception, with the common denominator being contra bassist Drew Gress. The late great Austrian pianist Fritz Pauer who passed away in 2012, shows his depth on these recordings. He was an amazing musician in all regards and these recordings show his versatility. He even “sings” some impromptu vocalizations on Exploration #6 (track 8). “Our first encounter together was in 1993 at the Jazzland Club in Vienna. We had never met before that night, so without any rehearsal, we picked some tunes that we both felt comfortable with, went on the stage and stated playing, in duo. At one point in the middle of the first set, Fritz looked up at me and said. ‘I can’t believe what my fingers are doing!’ That was the beginning of a long musical and personal relationship that lasted until his untimely death in 2012. ‘Deep’ doesn’t even begin to describe this guy,” said Neumeister.
Drew Gress and John Hollenbeck are long-time colleagues who Neumeister collaborates with frequently. Gress is a member of his current Quartet together with Gary Versace (piano) & Tom Rainey (drums), featured on What Have I Done? (MeisteroMusic 2021). During the recording of this album the band recorded three Explorations, now titled “fawg-it #1”, which opens the Explorations album, “Pickled Ginger” (track #2) & “fawg-it #2”, which closes the album.
“One of the joys of performing with these amazing musicians is that they can, literarily play anything. They can read and creatively interpret complex notated music at the same time, and play open improvisations as if it was worked out in advance, and everything in between. I am honored and humbled to be associated wh these great musicians and thankful that they agree to “play” with me. The child in us lives on enhanced by our knowledge and experience of doing what we love to do.” proclaimed Neumeister.
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