1st set – Lena Bloch/Boris Netsvetaev Quartet
Lena Bloch grounds her music in the fertile soil of the present, while honoring significant, left-of-center innovations of jazz past. Committed to the essentials of swing, post-bop exploration and collective improvisation, as well as an avid interest in the still-visionary music of cool-school titans, Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh, Bloch has created a distinctive instrumental and group approach that sets her apart from her peers. Her recent album “Feathery” (Thirteenth Note Records) got 4 stars rating in DownBeat Magazine and All About Jazz (USA) as well as in Switzerland On Sunday (Switzerland).
She will present her original compositions in an international quartet setting, featuring an outstanding pianist from Germany, Boris Netsvetaev, and two veterans of the US jazz scene: Putter Smith (LA) and Billy Mintz (NY).
“Debuts are rarely this assured. The band is first rate, as spontaneous and fresh as it could be, the leader has a clear vision, and the compelling music shines a light on a fresh side of the Lennie Tristano side of jazz.” – Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
“Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in innovative sounds” – Andrew Ansbach
“Bloch has a light tone and a harmonically adventurous style that not only recalls Warne Marsh at times but also Clifford Jordan… An impressive debut.” – Scott Yanow, Jazz Inside
2nd set – Billy Mintz Quartet
Billy Mintz was born in Queens, New York. During his formative years in New York City, he played and recorded with the Lee Konitz Nonet, Kundalini with Perry Robinson and Badal Roy, the Eddie Daniels Quartet, Gloria Gaynor, the Steve Tintweiss Quartet, and the Harold Danko Quartet.
Since 2003 Mr. Mintz has lived in New York where he has recorded and performed with the Hal Galper Trio, the Russ Lossing Trio, the Mark Feldman-Sylvie Courvoisier Quartet and others. He also leads a ten-piece ensemble (the Two Bass Band) and has performed numerous solo drum set concerts worldwide.
Billy Mintz presents music from his recent album “Mintz Quartet” (Thirteenth Note Records), with Roberta Piket (Piano), Putter Smith (Bass), John Gross (Saxophone).
“The leader walks alone and, like Paul Motian, he’s got a great way of drifting through the waves while steering the ship.” -Village Voice
“If you are a fan of modern jazz drumming but have not heard Billy Mintz, you have not heard it all.” – Tom Conrad, JazzTimes
