This German label keeps releasing some wonderfully obscure material. Most of the time, it seems we’re discovering European artists that should have received more attention. In this case, tenor saxist Hans Koller is the artist spotlighted during these concert recordings from November 1959 and September 1960. The ’59 set has him with Martial Solal/p, Michel de Villers/bs, Roger Guerin/tp-fh, Fred Dutton-Percy Heath/b and Hartwig Bartz/dr for a night of originals and a take of the standard “All the Things you Are” that features the rich bari of Villers. Koller himself sounds like a mix of Texas tenor and vintage Hawkins as he agonizes over the relaxing “Margaret Rose,” bops on “Mister B Blues” and smokes on the sleek “ Mister B Blues”. Guerin’s fragile Dorham-like trumpet is on display on the snappy “Oscar” yet he shows Donal Byrd-like crispness on “Benny’s Blues” while Solal gets some space on “All the Things…” . A brass ensemble jumps in to create some framework for the lovely “Ella’s Dream” and shuffling “O.P.” Mainstream fans will drool over this baby!
Jazz Haus Records