Milt Jackson Project
The "Milt Jackson Project" has been part of vibraphonist Matthias Strucken's regular repertoire for years - an affair of the heart.
Jackson (1923 - 1999), himself a vibraphonist and co-founder of the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet, was the definitive master of bluesy, swinging and grooving cool jazz, which Strucken is now reviving in a captivating way together with pianist Marc Brenken, bassist Matthias Nowak and drummer Dominik Raab. Strucken is particularly inspired by the simplicity and clarity of melody and form.
With their boundless joy of playing and their positive, energised style, the "Milt Jackson Project" sweeps every listener away after just a few bars. The highlight instrument, the vibraphone, and Strucken's virtuoso, gripping playing always take centre stage
The band is currently presenting its second release 'I loves You Porgy', which has been expanded in some pieces to include guests Paul Heller, Joscho Stephan and Alfonso Garrido. It was important to Strucken to persistently expand his sound and tonal spectrum, with his tuneful and varied sound drawing on both the melodic and percussive possibilities of his instrument, which the bandleader not only makes swing, but above all makes sing, warm-hearted and rich in atmospheric sound effects. Stylistically, the band changes direction from time to time, sometimes in the direction of soul jazz, sometimes with a Brazilian touch - or sometimes sharply bopping.
The title track 'I Loves You Porgy' from Gershwin's opera 'Porgy and Bess' hovers above all of this - the quintessence of a sound experience, born from the somnambulistic interaction of pure intuition and grandiose creative artistry.
The audible enjoyment is infectious and every listener will soon realise: Keep the soul in your music and have fun!
Tossia Corman