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The sound world created by Artmann and ensemble varies greatly from one track to the next, creating a sense of anticipation as one waits to hear what will occur next. Uneasy Dreams, the title track, will make the classical flutist smile with its ruminations on the standard excerpt from Brahms’ Symphony No. 1. If Uneasy Dreams ruminates, its titular companion Easy Dreams is a light-hearted improvisation that celebrates the joyful side of jazz. On every track, members of the ensemble respond to each other intuitively. I find the flute playing on Uneasy Dreams laudable for its quality. The variety of colors and styles offered from one piece to the next kept me engaged throughout. As Artmann pays homage to musicians and composers of the past, he weaves a new web in which his tributes seem neither trite nor cheeky but simply a part of the fabric of music in his own mind based on his own experiences and training.

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First of all, Christian Artmann is a wonderful jazz flautist. … The haunting On a Sentimental Flute is a lovely ballad. It presumably references the Ellington standard In a Sentimental Mood. Other than a few seemingly similar short melodic passages, the similarity ends there. The bass and flute octave unison begins Steps Beyond. Weidenmueller on bass and Hirshfield on drums swing confidently as Christian Artmann weaves a solo full of cascading lines. Artmann’s lines flow, yet they are never predictable. The final cut Easy Dreams, although listed as “free” is very melodic and compositional. It is a testament to Artmann and his ensemble’s ability to play freely, without barriers. They can do this all while making the outcome very listenable – not something commonly found in free and especially avante-guard music.

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Composer/flutist Christian Artmann is quite daring. I say this because his new release, which is distinctively titled Uneasy Dreams, is a delightful fusion of various genres of music and sounds. From the very first notes of “Foreboding,” which is the first track, Artmann tweaks listeners and captivates them with his exceptional sounds. It is mesmerizing. Artmann’s arrangements are natural aesthetics. They are not rehearsed representations. Listen to “On A Sentimental Flute” to verify this point. Other favorites are “Aria De Opereta”, “Next Steps” and “Uneasy Dreams.” Uneasy Dreams – an extraordinary improv.

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March 5, 2017, 3pm at Spectrum, NYC

The Christian Artmann Quartet with Laszlo Gardony (piano), Johannes Weidenmueller (bass) and Jeff Hirshfield (drums). http://www.spectrumnyc.com; 121 Ludlow St #2, New York, NY 10002; Tel: (646) 275-6665. Tickets at the door, pls arrive by 2.45 pm.

Recent Dates

October 28 at ShapeShifter Lab, NYC: The Christian Artmann Quartet with Laszlo Gardony (piano), Chris van Voorst van Beest (bass) and Jeff Hirshfield (drums).

July 1 at ShapeShifter Lab, NYC: The Christian Artmann Quartet with Laszlo Gardony (piano), Johannes Weidenmueller (bass) and Jeff Hirshfield (drums).

January 3, 2016 at First Unitarian Church, San Francisco: With Elena McEntire (mezzo soprano) and others.

 

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Please join Christian Artmann and Laszlo Gardony for a double feature at beautiful Shapeshifter Lab on October 22 at 7.30 p.m.

Laszlo Gardony will give a solo piano concert in celebration of his new CD “Serious Play” (Sunnyside Records, 2017), followed by the Christian Artmann Quartet with Laszlo, Johannes Weidenmueller and Jeff Hirshfield.

Laszlo has been receiving rave reviews on his new CD, and Christian’s quartet is fresh from the studio where they recorded his new album (for release in 2018).

 

Address: 18 Whitwell Place, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (between 1st and Carroll St, off 4th Ave – Park Slope). Reservations: (646) 820-9452.

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Join Christian Artmann, Laszlo Gardony, Johannes Weidenmueller and Jeff Hirshfield for an evening of new music at beautiful Shapeshifter Lab on July 1 at 8 p.m.

Address: 18 Whitwell Place, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (between 1st and Carroll St, off 4th Ave – Park Slope). Reservations: (646) 820-9452.

Hope to see you there!