Stan Sulzmann Quartet – Shadow Painting

Stan Sulzmann – Tenor Saxophone, Nick Smart – Trumpet/Flugelhorn

Ross Stanley – Hammond Organ, Tim Giles Drums

 British saxophonist and composer Stan Sulzmann has been at the forefront of European contemporary jazz since the 1960s. He has played and collaborated with a host of jazz superstars including Gil Evans, Mike Gibbs, Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland and Michael Brecker and has appeared with bands across Europe including the Hilversum Radio Orchestra, NDR Big Band (alongside Chet Baker), Hanover Radio Symphony Orchestra and the New York Composers Orchestra.

Originally formed by Stan for a BBC broadcast from the 2013 London Jazz Festival the Organ Quartet plays a mixture of his original tunes and cunning re-workings of standards – the band puts a contemporary spin on the jazz tradition.

Stan has brought together three of his closest musical friends, each with a huge wealth of talent. Organist and pianist Ross Stanley is one of the most in-demand musicians in the UK playing for the cream of the UK jazz scene as well as many visiting artists. Trumpeter Nick Smart has established himself as one of the pillars of jazz education in the UK. He currently heads the Jazz Department at The Royal Academy of Music in London and has performed with the Kenny Wheeler Big Band, James Taylor Quartet and the Stan Sulzmann Big Band. Drummer Tim Giles (described by the Telegraph as “a cutting edge drummer”) needs no introduction to Sulzmann fans as he has been Stan’s drummer of choice for many years, playing in his Big Band and Neon Quartet.

Shadow Painting is a collaboration between these four incredible musicians. The result is an album of real musical beauty that is both vibrant and delicate. Stan’s hallmark robust yet lyrical sound is complimented by Ross Stanley’s expressive Hammond accompaniment which often shimmers and swirls underneath the surface while Tim Giles’ tasteful bustling grooves give the group real momentum.

There are eight originals by Stan and a wonderful interpretation of Dizzy Gillespie’s Con Alma which is turned into a waltz with a nod to Stan’s great friend and pianist John Taylor.