Jazz in Family (IT) 16-02-2024

JazzNuEnglish translation:Susanne Alt met klassiek groove-geluid als van fluweelSusanne Alt, alto saxophonist, DJ, and composer, delivers an album with 'Royalty for Real' that would fit well in the heyday of instrumental funk jazz. The sound of the Fender Rhodes, combined with melodic grooves on the alto saxophone, brings to mind Bob James with David Sanborn or Andrey Chmut.Alt lives in Amsterdam but was born in Germany. Initially, she studied classical saxophone and won the Siemens Prize for young talent in 1996. Her first CD, Nocturne, showcases those classical influences. She moved to the Netherlands to study jazz saxophone in Hilversum and Amsterdam. She was one of the first musicians to enliven Amsterdam's nightlife by performing live with DJs. Now, her own DJ sets are an important part of her work, alongside playing with her quartet, session work, and collaborations with DJs and groups such as Fred Wesley, Hardsoul, and Wicked Jazz Sounds.'Royalty for Real' is now her sixth studio album. It was therefore somewhat surprising to find little information about it on the online jazz channels. Alt is clearly a perseverant artist with three conservatory studies under her belt and multiple self-produced CDs to her name. That may be rectified in the future, and then we can ask her how she managed to record an album with the rhythm section of Roy Hargrove. The royalty referenced in the title is trumpeter Roy Hargrove, to whom the CD is dedicated.It turns out that Susanne Alt did not sit idle during the lockdown period. In February 2022, she spent a few days in the New York Eastside Sound Studio with pianist James Hurt, double bassist Gerald Cannon, and drummer Willie Jones III. The finishing touches were later applied in Sapphire Studio in Amsterdam, The Hague, and New Jersey.The opening track, Roy Allan, is by Hargrove. Jazz enthusiasts know Hargrove for his hard bop or ballads on the flugelhorn. He was a beloved session musician and recorded extensively, solo, with his quintet, and with his Roy Hargrove Big Band. Additionally, there are countless recordings with others, including Manhattan Projects, Erykah Badu, Jimmy Griffin, and many others. He contributed to the first album of Buckshot Lefonque and toured and recorded with D'Angelo.Susanne Alt knows him personally from his performances at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague. There, she met him and played together during the legendary jam sessions at the Bel Air Hotel. It left a lasting impression on her. Besides Hargrove's musicality, Alt praises his openness and positive demeanor in a radio interview. She learned from him that it's important to give each other space, listen to one another, and, when appropriate, dare to compliment each other during jam sessions. That can be hard to find in the macho music world. Hargrove passed away at the age of 49 from a hereditary disease, but he left behind a rich legacy, to which this tribute can now be added.The album lasts about 45 minutes and is divided into seven tracks. Besides the opening track Roy Allan (Hargrove) and The Nearness of You (Hoagy Carmichael), Alt wrote all the titles. Blue Notes & Fairy Tales, the second track, brings a change in tempo but remains consistent in melody and approach with the first track. It is a funky groove played on the alto saxophone over a bed of Fender Rhodes, drums with plenty of cymbal work, and additional percussion. The double bass is subtly mixed deep into the piano sounds. The main role is reserved for the saxophone.In Bel Air Bop (a nod to North Sea The Hague), the Fender is replaced by a grand piano. Georgie Fame would know what to do with the melody and would immediately come up with lyrics for it. After the sax solo, a 'classic' piano solo by James Hurt follows. Hurt is a seasoned jazz pianist who has worked with Abbey Lincoln, among others. The drum solo follows, showing that drummer Willie Jones III is not just anyone. He toured with Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, and... with Roy Hargrove. Double bassist Gerald Cannon has played with greats like Art Blakey and was part of Hargrove's rhythm section with Willie Jones III for some time. In short, Alt is well surrounded here. Nevertheless, she stands her ground as the leading performer.The track Classy Cats could also be called Classy Scats. It invites you to sing along with the long, flowing saxophone lines. The Nearness of You was a favorite ballad of Hargrove. He often played ballads on his flugelhorn, and it is evident that Alt was inspired by his sound. The saxophone here sounds with full, warm notes like velvet.Royalty for Real has become an attractive and balanced album with an almost classic groove sound that fits a calmer time. Several tracks could easily work as a theme tune for a television program.A male American trumpeter serves as inspiration for a female saxophonist who originally studied classical music in Germany. It remains remarkable that the spark can jump across the world again and again, as long as one musician is open to the other. Royalty for real!MONICA RIJPMA - Jazz in FamilyTranslation:Susanne Alt Celebrates Roy Hargrove's Influence in Modern JazzRoyalty For Real by Susanne Alt is a passionate tribute to one of the giants of modern jazz: Roy Hargrove. This work not only embodies the essence of modern jazz but also pays a respectful homage to the extraordinary legacy left by Hargrove in the world of music. Through this project, Susanne Alt, a renowned saxophonist based in Amsterdam, offers the audience a unique and engaging sonic experience, woven with emotions and inspirations.Susanne Alt's BiographyBorn in Germany, Susanne Alt took her first steps into the world of music as a classical saxophonist during her adolescence. However, her love for jazz led her to move to the Netherlands at the age of 18 to study jazz saxophone. Since then, she has been a part of the vibrant music scene in Amsterdam, distinguishing herself for her versatility and the ability to blend tradition and innovation. In addition to her solo career, Alt is a member of the eponymous jazz quartet and is part of the all-female dance music group, Venus Tunes Live, which also gave its name to her record label. Her music reflects a deep understanding and overwhelming passion for jazz, manifested through her warm and engaging sound enriched with soul, blues, and funk influences.Royalty for RealSusanne Alt's album Royalty For Real offers a series of compositions that embrace a variety of styles and influences. With her warm and rich alto saxophone tones, Alt guides the listener through a sonic experience that skillfully blends elements of soul, blues, funk, and, of course, jazz.The album features a series of original compositions by Alt, including Blue Notes & Fairy Tales, capturing the soulful essence of the album with its enveloping melodies and engaging rhythm. Bel Air Bop is an ode to late-night jam sessions at The Hague's Hotel Bel Air, where Alt frequently performed with Roy Hargrove after North Sea Jazz Festival shows. Alt and Hargrove performed together in numerous jam sessions after festival performances in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States, creating a unique musical connection reflected in the warmth and emotion of Roy Allan. This track, the only one written by Roy Hargrove on the album, serves as a tribute to the father figure.Alt also explores classic tunes like Hoagy Carmichael's The Nearness of You, offering delicate and engaging reinterpretations. The album includes Rue Lepic, a tribute to Hargrove's classic Strasbourg Saint-Denis. There's also a gentle rendition of The Nearness Of You, a ballad often heard in Hargrove's repertoire.Sound Recording & FeaturingThe album was recorded at EastSide Sound in New York City, capturing the energy and intimacy of live performances. The personnel includes some of the finest musicians in the American jazz scene: Gerald Cannon on bass and Willie Jones III on drums, who played for several years with Roy Hargrove himself. James Hurt on keyboards, known for his versatility, has collaborated with artists like Abbey Lincoln, Sherman Irby, and Jacques Schwarz-Bart.With organic production and a raw, intimate sound, Royalty for Real gives the listener the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the interaction and interplay among quartet members, capturing the essence of jazz in all its splendor.In the Netherlands, the project includes Susanne Alt (alto sax), Timothy Banchet (keyboards), Thomas Pol (bass), Yoran Vroom (drums), and Danique Kos (percussion). Royalty for Real is Alt's sixth album.Modern Jazz and Roy Hargrove's LegacyIn critical analysis, Royalty for Real by Susanne Alt has garnered attention from numerous music critics and specialized sites. All this attention confirms the artistic value and executive ability of the artist and her ensemble. The album has been praised for its skillful intertwining of different musical genres, creating a captivating and engaging sonic experience. The tribute to Roy Hargrove has received recognition for its authenticity and the deep emotional connection that Alt has been able to convey.Expert VerdictMusic critics and industry experts have praised Susanne Alt's technical skill, emphasizing her warm tone and the ability to convey emotions through her alto saxophone. The adept use of real instruments and collaboration with high-caliber musicians have contributed to shaping an album distinguished by authenticity and powerful sound.Shared ThoughtsWe share the favorable thoughts of figures like Larsen or Harris, but our review aims to highlight Susanne Alt's particular role in the world of music, emphasizing her dual life as a musician and DJ. The monthly sessions airing every first Sunday at 7:00 PM add an extra dimension to the artist, as she herself declares, adding another facet to my musicality. This peculiarity, for us, is identified as a key element that contributed to making the tribute to Roy Hargrove a record that keeps the trumpeter's legacy alive. Don't miss the opportunity to listen to Royalty for Real. This time, don't miss the chance to bring home a valuable record.