Christian Winther - The Only Plan

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:09
Size: 142,0 MB
Art: Front

(7:39)  1. New York Strut
(7:25)  2. Back It Up
(6:56)  3. Misty Thursday
(8:52)  4. Bright Light
(7:04)  5. There It Is
(7:03)  6. High Ground
(7:28)  7. The Only Plan
(8:39)  8. Dahomey Dance

Winther emigrated from his native Denmark, studied jazz at the University of New Orleans and now resides in the Crescent City. This album reflects his adoption of and adaptation to the local musical culture. It marks his rise as another promising tenor saxophonist among the ranks of well-schooled young jazz musicians. The feeling of this album is bright and sunny. (It was recorded before Hurricane Katrina.) Rhythms indigenous to New Orleans abound, as pianist Richard Doron Johnson, bassist Neal Caine and drummer Ali Jackson Jr. dish out the infectious grooves. The ensemble sound of the horns (Winther and trumpeter Marcus Printup) recall the Blue Note era. You might call this a hard-bop-meets-New Orleans scene. Winther originals dominate the program, beginning with the second-line-tinged “New York Strut.” His jaunty, stride-piano-introduced “There It Is” and Monkish “High Ground” are also worthy of note. Winther’s tenor is warm and fluid, with traces of Eric Alexander and perhaps the late New Orleans tenorman Red Tyler. On “High Ground,” he hints at Charlie Rouse. Printup, who increasingly impresses with each new album he appears on, is in admirable form, with boldness and exuberance that suggest a young Freddie Hubbard. ~ Owen Cordle https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/christian-winther-the-only-plan/ 

The Only Plan

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Christian Winther - Blue Function

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 68:40
Size: 125,8 MB
Art: Front

( 5:55)  1. High Ground
( 9:02)  2. Jitterbug Waltz
( 6:17)  3. Reflections
( 9:31)  4. Redeemer
( 6:05)  5. Limehouse Blues
(10:26)  6. Train Song
( 6:04)  7. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
( 7:19)  8. Worry Later
( 7:56)  9. Word Of The Deacon

Since moving to New Orleans in 1997 Danish born saxophonist and composer Christian Winther has established himself as a in-demand saxophonist on the jazz scene through his soulful versatile sound. His four recordings on the Steeplechase label have earned him critical acclaim from many national and international jazz publications. Winther has toured the US and europe as the leader of the Christian Winther Quartet and performed as a sideman with many New Orleans jazz groups.Some of the musicians Winther has performed and/or recorded with include: Ali Jackson, Vincent Gardner, Shannon Powell, Herlin Riley, Billy Drummond, Marcus Printup, Richard D. Johnson, Rodney Green, Reuben Rogers, Fredrick Sanders, Germaine Bazzle, Preservation Hall among others. Winther’s latest recording “Refuge In Sound” (2016) features all original compositions by the leader and a all-star group comprised of Allyn Johnson-piano, Mike Moreno-guitar, Reuben Rogers-bass and Billy Williams Jr.-drums.

Winther’s playing is strongly rooted in the jazz tradition, but he exerts a versatility that allows him to apply his sound to many varied musical situations.  Winther notes: “being a musician in New Orleans, you are privileged to experience so much different music as part of everyday life, and you start to realize how you can draw from all those sources”. Offbeat magazine says of Winther “While swinging is often at the forefront, a refreshing element is the ease of how Winther moves both to more free ranging realms, while he glances back to the musics tradition”.Born In Denmark, saxophonist, clarinetist and composer Christian Winther was introduced to jazz by his fathers albums of jazz masters such as Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. At the age of 11 Winther began playing the clarinet; Louis Armstrong was among his first influences. Then Winther heard the music of Charlie Parker and John Coltrane and the saxophone seemed the logical next step. He studied with saxophonist Darryl Barber and attended the Skidmore Jazz Institute and was encouraged to continue his studies in jazz by the late legend Milt Hinton. Winther studied at the University of New Orleans with Ellis Marsalis, Ed Petersen, Victor Goines, Steve Masakowski and Harold Battiste. While attending the University of New Orleans he performed with notable jazz names such as Frank Morgan, Ellis Marsalis, Alvin “Red” Tyler and Harold Battiste. Christian Winther released his debut CD “Perspectives” in 2001. Following his debut Winther has recorded 4 CD’s on the SteepleChase label  “Blue Function” (2004), “The Only Plan” January (2006),  “Soul House” (2008) “From The Sound Up” (2011) and his latest release “Refuge In Sound” (2016) on his own imprint, Sound Perspective Music. http://christianwinther.com/bio/

Personnel:  Christian Winther – Saxophone;  Vincent Gardner – Trombone;  Fredrick Sanders – Piano;  Roland Guerin – Bass;  Herlin Riley – Drums

Blue Function

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