Johannes Mueller Jazz Mile - Gloomy Smokey Light (2016) [Official Digital Download]

Johannes Mueller JAZZ MILE invites us on a historical-musical ex-course to one of the most impulsive places of jazz. It's 9:48 pm and we're just strolling through the smoky Frenchmen Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. A saxophone is heard from afar, it carries the melody and is rhythmically supported by contra-bass and drums. A short listen to other sides, in this case trumpet and a piano. As we arrive in front of the "Snug Harbor", a very traditional jazz bar, we see Johannes Mueller in his favorite bar with his saxophone and his band JAZZ MILE on stage. It could have happened like that.

The first time you listen to Johannes Mueller's new album, JAZZ MILE - Gloomey Smokey Light, you immediately sense the emotional depth of his music. A very well-balanced mix of traditional pieces in a modern and fresh look. If you close your eyes, the saxophonist will truly take you to the "Snug Harbor". The special energy of jazz in this city is literally noticeable, as is the spiritual, Creole passion that is still deeply rooted in this music today. Be it a never-ending night in one of the many bars in the French Quarter or a unique carnival in the weeks of Mardi Gras. Let yourself go on a journey.

With his compositions and arrangements, Johannes Mueller creates a balancing act between jazz, blues, salsa, swing, soul and bossa. A classic quintet that is both contemporary and young but deeply rooted in tradition. It reflects the musical lightness of a whole generation and still creates a connection to the 21st with pieces like "Happy" and "Every Breath You Take".

Century. As simple as this may sound, so high-quality and detailed it is implemented. "Each track on the album tells its own story. Thus the music should by no means lose the groove and the soul, the listeners should be enthused, that's what we want to achieve ", that's how Johannes Mueller describes Gloomy Smokey Light.

The different castings are matched to the versatility of the titles. Through the clear focus on saxophone and trumpet in "A Dogwalk", the bandleader and Carlo Nardozza show their whole, playful sophistication. "Back To Mardi Gras" conveys the feeling of carnival in New Orleans so well, that one would like to believe that you are there yourself. Especially Chris Strik on drums literally paints the streets of the French Quarter with his instrument. Also Volker Engelberth shows on his piano the deep feeling of the blues in "Loss Of A Tooth" in a contemporary way. And also Philipp Schug and Gautier Laurent shine on trombone and contrabass.

In general, the composition of the band JAZZ MILE could not be more colorful. Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and America are united in one band and all have dedicated themselves to traditional but modern jazz. For over 12 years, the formation has been a welcome guest at national and international jazz festivals. From Germany to Morocco, back to Spain and across Europe. And even with the first two albums, the artists have shown how jazz has to sound.

With the new album Gloomy Smokey Light, Johannes Mueller JAZZ MILE creates an album according to the absolute purity requirement jazz. The title of the production holds much more than it promises and the listener can look forward to a modern, musical expedition, which he certainly will not do only once.

Tracklist:

01. A Dogwalk
02. Back To Mardi Gras
03. Every Breath You Take
04. Gloomy Smokey Light
05. Great Expectations
06. Happy
07. Loss Of A Tooth
08. Save Your Love For Me
09. Unami
10. Whistle

Personnel:

Johannes Mueller - saxophone
Volker Engelberth- piano
Gautier Laurent- bass
Chris Strik- drums
Carlo Nardozza- trumpet
Philipp Schug- trombone



All thanks go to the original releaser