JOACHIM KÜHN — Europeana : Jazzphony No. 1 (Michael Gibbs) (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Europeana won the Annual German Record Critics' Award upon its initial CD release in 1995. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Castle In Heaven 4:16
French Horn [Solo] – Theo Wiemes
2    Black Is The Colour Of My Ture Love´s Hair 4:42
Oboe – Douglas Boyd
Tenor Horn – Django Bates
3    The Shepherd Of Breton 4:34
Accordion – Richard Galliano
Orchestra – Members Of The NDR-Bigband
4    The Ingrian Rune Song    2:19
5    The Groom´s Sister 3:41
Soprano Saxophone – Christof Lauer
6    Norwegian Psalm 4:48
Flugelhorn – Markus Stockhausen
Oboe [Solo] – Martin Stoll
7    Three Angels 4:20
Tenor Saxophone – Christof Lauer
Trombone – Albert Mangelsdorff
8    Heaven Has Created 3:56
Piccolo Trumpet – Markus Stockhausen
9    She Moved Through The Fair 5:55
Soprano Saxophone – Klaus Doldinger
10    Crebe De Chet    4:14
11    Midnight Sun    5:28
12    Londonderry Air 4:41
Violin [Solo] – Volker Worlitzsch
13    Otra Jazzpaña    5:35
Credits :
Bass, Soloist – Jean-François Jenny-Clark
Concertmaster – Volker Worlitzsch
Conductor, Arranged By – Michael Gibbs
Drums, Soloist – Jon Christensen
Orchestra – Radio Philharmoníe Hannover NDR
Painting – Gerhard Richter
Piano, Soloist – Joachim Kühn
Soloist – Albert Mangelsdorff, Christof Lauer, Django Bates, Douglas Boyd, Klaus Doldinger, Markus Stockhausen, Richard Galliano

NILS LANDGREN — The Moon, The Stars And You (2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Re-release of a milestone in Swedish jazz history. An incredibly atmospheric interpretation of the rich Swedish folk tradition. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Moonshadow 5:11
Written-By – Cat Stevens
2    The Moon, The Stars And You 3:28
Written-By – Michael Wollny, Nils Landgren
3    Oh You Crazy Moon 3:34
Written-By – Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
4    Joe's Moonblues 3:57
Written-By – Nils Landgren
5    Angel Of Fortune 4:52
Written-By – Cæcilie Norby, Lars Danielsson
6    Moon River 4:32
Written-By – Henry Mancini
7    Til' There Was You 3:18
Written-By – Meredith Willson
8        Stars In Your Eyes 4:28
Written-By – Herbie Hancock
9    Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends 4:37
Written-By – Kris Kristofferson
10    The Moon’s A Harsh Mistress 4:45
Written-By – Jimmy Webb
11    Holofotes 5:27
Written-By – Antonio Cicero, João Bosco, Waly
12    Lost In The Stars 7:22
Written-By – Kurt Weill
Credits :
Bass – Dan Berglund (tracks: 1), James Genus (tracks: 11), Lars Danielsson (tracks: 2 to 10)
Cover [Cover Art] – Martin Noël
Drums – Kiko Freitas (tracks: 11), Rasmus Kihlberg (tracks: 2, 3, 7, 10), Robert Ikiz (tracks: 12)
Drums, Percussion – André Ferrari (tracks: 1)
Guest, Accordion – Richard Galliano (tracks: 1, 6)
Guest, Backing Band – The NDR Big Band (tracks: 10)
Guest, Drums – Steve Gadd (tracks: 4, 5, 9)
Guest, Guitar, Vocals – João Bosco (tracks: 11)
Guest, Orchestra – The Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (tracks: 12)
Guest, Piano – Joe Sample (tracks: 4)
Piano – Michael Wollny (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 9)
Trombone – Nils Landgren (tracks: 2 to 12)
Vocals – Cæcilie Norby (tracks: 5), Nils Landgren (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7 to 10, 12)

PAOLO FRESU | RICHARD GALLIANO | JAN LUNDGREN — Mare Nostrum (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Mare Nostrum's biggest surprise isn't its instrumentation -- a trio of accordion, trumpet and piano -- but how natural the combination sounds in its execution. Of course, Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu, French accordion player Richard Galliano (who is of Italian offspring), and Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren are well-known, critically praised jazz musicians who have all been known to eschew musical boundaries and defy genre limitations, so the music on Mare Nostrum -- an album co-led by all three -- shouldn't come as a surprise, nor should its quality, and yet not everybody would have expected such marvelous results. The 15 compositions on the album include originals by all three musicians and several covers, touching upon jazz, tango, classical music, and folk, reinterpreting Charles Trénet ("Que Reste-T-Il de Nos Amours?"), encompassing Antonio Carlos Jobim ("Eu Nao Existo Sem Voce"), and Maurice Ravel ("Ma Mère L'Oye"). There is an almost delightful sense of trust and ease among the three performers, who never take away their bandmates' spotlights, and who find a balance between playfulness and restraint throughout the album. The music is evocative, as if it was the soundtrack to a missing Louis Malle movie, and much of it creates a warm feeling of gentle nostalgia, even on the more up-tempo tracks. Let's hope these musicians meet again to record more music -- Mare Nostrum is a precious gem. Christian Genzel

"A little bit of tango, chanson, Satie-like sounds, coloured by jazz, result in an album that, from the first to the last note, quite relaxed, brings to light the most beautiful melodies ... the trio's music is already one of the most fascinating releases of the ACT label shortly after its release." (JAZZZEIT, AT) ACT
Tracklist :
1    Mare Nostrum 5:55
Written-By – Jan Lundgren
2    Principessa 4:35
Written-By – Richard Galliano
3    Eu Nao Existo Sem Você 2:58
Written-By – A.C. Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
4    The Seagull 3:18
Written-By – Jan Lundgren
5    Que Reste-t-il De Nos Amours? 4:32
Written-By – Charles Trenet
6    Years Ahead 5:05
Written-By – Jan Lundgren
7    Sonia's Nightmare 4:04
Written-By – Paolo Fresu
8    Chat Pitre 3:00
Written-By – Richard Galliano
9    Valzer Del Ritorno 4:24
Written-By – Paolo Fresu
10    Open Your Mind 4:05
Written-By – Jan Lundgren
11    Liberty Waltz 4:10
Written-By – Richard Galliano
12    Mio Mehmet, Forse Il Destino M'impedirà Di Rivederti 4:29
Written-By – Paolo Fresu
13    Ma Mère L'Oye 4:28
Arranged By – Richard Galliano
Written-By – Maurice Ravel
14    Para Jobim 3:57
Written-By – Richard Galliano
15    Vårvindar Friska 3:11
 -Traditional
Arranged By – Jan Lundgren
Credits:
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Richard Galliano - Accordion, Bandoneon & Accordina
Jan Lundgren - Piano

PAOLO FRESU | RICHARD GALLIANO | JAN LUNDGREN — Mare Nostrum II (2016) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The sound of Europe, part two: Fresu - Galliano - Lundgren. Italy - France - Sweden. "Mare Nostrum" connects the musical cultures of its performers and countless people worldwide who eagerly listen to this European sound. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Apnea 5:05
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
2    Blue Silence 5:09
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
3    Aurore 3:57
Composed By – Richard Galliano
4    Kristallen Den Fina 3:51
 -Traditional
Arranged By [Arr. by] – Jan Lundgren
5    Giselle 5:09
Composed By – Richard Galliano
6    E Varie Notti Tre Vie Notai 4:30
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
7    Farväl 4:47
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
8    Gnossienne No. 1 4:47
Arranged By [Arr. by] – Richard Galliano
Composed By – Erik Satie
9    Lili 3:42
Composed By – Richard Galliano
10    Leklåt 4:02
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
11    Le Livre D'un Père Sarde 4:11
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
12    Si Dolce È Il Tormento 6:11
Arranged By [Arr. by] – Paolo Fresu
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
Credits:
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Richard Galliano - Accordion, Bandoneon & Accordina
Jan Lundgren - Piano

PAOLO FRESU | RICHARD GALLIANO | JAN LUNDGREN — Mare Nostrum III (2019) FLAC (tracks), lossless

„An album full of lyricism and solemnity, beautifully engineered, and exuding feelings of discovery and the joy of collaboration.“
-The Arts Journal (US)

The old saying that ‘all good things come in threes’ might be a cliché with no particular logic to it, but as a way to describe the virtues of Mare Nostrum, it’s right on the money. Twelve years ago, Sardinian trumpeter Paolo Fresu, French accordionist Richard Galliano and Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren, all from the upper echelons of European jazz, formed their trio. Each has his roots in the musical tradition of his home country, and each has used it to develop his own musical language. These are musicians who bring their individuality and inspiration to a multitude of projects in modern jazz, and so transcend borders and connect genres. All three men have poetry in their playing. Their love of melody binds them together, and does so more than ever in this new third album.

In fact, "Mare Nostrum III" completes a trilogy of albums. Right from the beginning of their decade-long collaboration, the group has had the idea of recording an album in each of their home countries. They made the first in Italy in 2007, and it took these busy musicians until 2016 to go to France and to record the second. Their third destination was Sweden, and the Nilento Studio in Gothenburg. "Once again,” says René Hess, the Swiss producer of the album, says, "it was a pure pleasure to see the sheer ease with which Paolo, Richard and Jan can create such great music."

The first thing the listener notices is the natural, spontaneous way the thread of the musical conversation unfolds. Their affinity in soul and spirit is immediately recognizable. This group of equals is a version of Europe which is united, democratic, and brings everything together. Each of the three contributed four original compositions plus a favourite piece. It is mostly possible to work out by listening who has written the pieces, and yet the trio translates into a common language; it’s a language which all have a thorough understanding of, and a genuine feeling for.

The album begins with Richard Galliano's "Blues sur Seine". It’s a plaintive piano melody reminiscent of Satie, or possibly Grieg. It’s joined by a veiled trumpet line before high notes from a lamenting accordion take over. Paris is in there, but so are fjords, Mediterranean shores and Basin Street in New Orleans. The whole thing is pure simplicity and enchantment. Characteristically Italian pathos then emerges in Fresu's "Pavese", in a natural frame of spontaneous soundscapes. Lundgren's "Love Land" has lively, cheerfully intertwining voices and a catchy theme that conjures up the magic of Swedish folklore. Then all three bring their persuasive lyricism to two of the most bittersweet melodies ever written, Michel Legrand's "The Windmills Of Your Mind" and Eduardo Di Capua's "I'te vurria vasà".

Three pieces follow that in each case deal with a very personal memory. With the wonderful "Le Jardin des Fées", Richard Galliano honours the memory of his compatriot and friend, the much-missed great jazz violinist Didier Lockwood. In "Del Soldato in trincea" Paolo Fresu recalls one of his favourite films, Ermanno Olmi's "Torneranno i prati". And Jan Lundgren strolls through the streets of "Ronneby", the small Swedish town where he grew up, with a strongly rhythmic blues-infused folk music melody. All three then bring Quincy Jones' love theme from the film "The Getaway" back to their own shores. Then follows Fresu’s concentrated "Human Requiem", played entirely on muted trumpet, and the slow sustained concentration of Galliano's "Letter To My Mother". In the final tracks, Lundgren's "The Magic Stroll", reminiscent of the musicals, and Richard Galliano's classically inspired "Prayer", with the feel of rolling along on the waves of the ocean, these three exceptional musicians have found a perfect symbiosis.

With "Mare Nostrum III", Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano and Jan Lundgren have once again created a wonderful ballad album. Through their music they rise way above that old discussion about whatever "jazz" might be nowadays. What they have achieved instead is to bring the sound of Europe to life. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Blues Sur Seine 4:54
Composed By – Richard Galliano
2    Pavese 4:57
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
3    Love Land 4:23
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
4    The Windmills Of Your Mind 3:38
Composed By – Michel Legrand
5    I'te Vurria Vasà 4:33
Composed By – Alfredo Mazzucchi, Eduardo di Capua
6    Le Jardin Des Fées 5:12
Composed By – Richard Galliano
7    Del Soldato In Trincea 2:15
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
8    Ronneby 3:37
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
9    Love Theme From "The Getaway" 3:10
Composed By – Quincy Jones
10    Human Requiem 4:30
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
11    Letter To My Mother 5:09
Composed By – Richard Galliano
12    Love In Return 4:26
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
13    Perfetta 3:18
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
14    The Magic Stroll 2:59
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
15    Prayer 4:13
Composed By – Richard Galliano
Credits:
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Richard Galliano - Accordion, Bandoneon & Accordina
Jan Lundgren - Piano

JOACHIM KÜHN BIRTHDAY EDITION — Trio Kühn Humair Jenny-Clark + Europeana (2014) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Joachim Kühn - Germany's jazz pianist of world renown. Reason enough to bring this back to life with previously unreleased concert recordings of the exceptional trio Kühn, Humair, Jenny-Clark from JazzFest Berlin. With the jazz symphony "Europeana" Kühn returned in a key role on one of the most important ACT recordings in 1994. Alongside Kühn, the crème de la crème of contemporary European improvised music came together here, including Albert Mangelsdorff, Django Bates, Klaus Doldinger and Richard Galliano.... ACT
Trio Kühn Humair Jenny-Clark    
1    Pastor    8:52
2    Easy To Read    6:45
3    Heavy Birthday    10:21
4    Heavy Hanging    5:56
5    Guylene    10:30
6    More Tune    5:28
Europeana    
1    Castle In Heaven (Eg Veit I Himmerik Ei Borg) 4:16
French Horn, Soloist – Theo Wiemes
2    Black Is The Colour Of My True Love's Hair 4:42
Oboe – Douglas Boyd
Tenor Horn – Django Bates
3    The Shepherd Of Breton (Dis Moi Donc Bergere) 4:34
Accordion – Richard Galliano
Orchestra – Members Of The NDR-Bigband
4    The Ingrian Rune Song (Seelinaikoi)    2:19
2-5        The Groom's Sister (Kylä Voutti Utta Kutta)
Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax] – Christof Lauer
6    Norwegian Psalm (Stevtone) 4:48
Flugelhorn – Markus Stockhausen
Oboe, Soloist – Martin Stoll
7    Three Angels (Es Sungen Drei Engel) 4:20
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Christof Lauer
Trombone – Albert Mangelsdorff
8    Heaven Has Created (Lo Ceu N'a Creat) 3:56
Piccolo Trumpet – Markus Stockhausen
9    She Moved Through The Fair 5:55
Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax] – Klaus Doldinger
10    Crebe De Chet    4:14
11    Midnight Sun (Ack, Värmeland, Du Sköna)    5:28
12    Londonderry Air 4:41
Violin, Soloist – Volker Worlitzsch
13    Otra Jazzpaña    5:35
Credits :
CD1 : Trio Kühn Humair Jenny-Clark live at JazzFest Berlin ‘87 & ‘95
Joachim Kühn - Piano
Daniel Humair - Drums
Jean-François Jenny-Clark - Bass
CD2 : Europeana
Joachim Kühn - Piano
Jean-François Jenny-Clark - Bass
Jon Christensen - Drums
Soloists: Django Bates, Douglas Boyd, Klaus Doldinger, Richard Galliano,
Christof Lauer, Albert Mangelsdorff & Markus Stockhausen
Radio Philharmonie Hannover NDR conducted by Michael Gibbs
Konzertmeister: Volker Worlitzsch

THE WYNTON MARSALIS QUINTET & RICHARD GALLIANO - From Billie Holiday To Edith Piaf (2010) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    La Foule    6:44
2    Them There Eyes    6:22
3    Padam... Padam    8:10
4    What A Little Moonlight Can Do    8:55
5    Billie    6:53
6    Sailboat In The Moonlight    5:57
7    L'Homme à la Moto    11:08
8    Strange Fruit    7:16
9    La Vie En Rose    8:30
Credits
Accordion – Richard Galliano
Bass – Carlos Henriquez
Drums – Ali Jackson
Piano – Dan Nimmer
Tenor Saxophone – Walter Blanding
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis

RICHARD GALLIANO - Bach (2010) Mp3

French accordionist and bandoneon player Richard Galliano has spent much of his career demonstrating that his instruments can be employed not only in the service of folk music, but also to play jazz. His long tenure on Dreyfus Records was spent in that endeavor, but with Deutsche Grammophon, the venerable classical label, he naturally takes a different tack, here adapting himself to the demands of Johann Sebastian Bach. The substitution of accordion for keyboard instruments, notably in the three-part Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056 and Contrepoint 1 -- L'Art de la Fugue en Ré Majeur, BWV 1080, is a natural, yet Galliano does not stop there. He also replaces the violin in the three-part Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, BWV 1041 and the Concerto for Violin, Oboe, and Strings in D Minor, BWV 1060; the cello in the "Prélude" movement of the Suite for Cello Solo No. 1 in G, BWV 1007; and the flute in the "Allemande" section of the Partita for Solo Flute in A Minor, BWV 1013. These pieces written for strings and a reed require a fluidity of playing that Galliano succeeds in reproducing on his keys. And there are gains in his choice of instrument, notably in the slow "Largo" movement of the harpsichord concerto, since the accordion's notes have a longer decay than those for the harpsichord, giving greater resonance to the music. Galliano is ably accompanied by a chamber orchestra consisting of two violins (Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian and Sébastien Surel), viola (Jean-Marc Apap), cello (Raphaël Pidoux), and bass (Stéphane Logerot). But they only provide support, and often they drop out entirely as Galliano re-creates the majesty of Bach's music on his accordion, proving its worth as a formal instrument, just as he has previously as a jazz axe. by William Ruhlmann  

RICHARD GALLIANO - Nino Rota (2011) Mp3

It's hard to tell from the packaging, but these are not straight performances of melodies from Nino Rota's film scores but jazz versions of them, with French accordionist Richard Galliano in the lead role. That's not a stretch: Rota's tunes are full of dance and circus elements that need only a bit of a rhythmic push to cross over into jazz, and Galliano's group handles the transitions subtly and cleverly. Moreover, his program is beautifully sequenced and contains some marvelously odd items such as the "Il matto sul filo" (The Fool on the Wire) from La Strada, track 9. He includes a couple of famous pieces from The Godfather, including the Love Theme, which work well in two ways: the better known the piece, the more liberty Galliano can take with it melodically, and he also draws the interesting connection between Rota's Godfather music and those of his films of the 1950s with Federico Fellini, with a few tracks from the serious 1960s films Otto e mezzo (8 1/2) and La Dolce Vita as interludes. All these pieces present visions of Italian popular culture, inflected in different ways. This was Rota's genius: his music seemed simple and sentimental, but it was actually a flexible language that could comment both the attractions and the grotesque dangers of mass culture. Rota's music, some of it now almost 75 years old, has stood the test of time, and one of the marks of its greatness is that it not only can stand up to but invites a variety of treatments, such as this fine jazz reading. by James Manheim  

RICHARD GALLIANO - Vivaldi (2013) Mp3

At first blush, Richard Galliano's performance of Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons may seem to be a novelty recording, but to describe it that way would be a disservice to his extraordinary virtuosity and impressive comprehension of the music. The accordion may not be to everyone's liking, as its status in both popular and classical music has always been subject to taste, but no one could seriously question this French accordionist's prodigious abilities with the instrument, which he treats as nimbly and as expressively as a violin. Of course, choosing Vivaldi's greatest hit as a vehicle is a pretty safe bet to attract a new audience, and Galliano seems to relish the opportunity to make this perennial favorite a part of the accordion's repertoire. This is Galliano's second album of classical music on Deutsche Grammophon, following his 2010 Bach album, and while he is perhaps better known for his recordings of jazz standards and film themes, most notably on his 2011 CD of the music of Nino Rota, his affection for Baroque masterpieces is sincere and it shows in his meticulous playing. For filler Galliano also performs arias from Vivaldi operas Il Giustino and Arsilda, regina di Ponto, backed by continuo. But as attractive as these pieces are, most listeners will return again and again to hear the Four Seasons, which is a tour de force for the instrument. by Blair Sanderson  

RICHARD GALLIANO - Mozart (2016) Mp3

RICHARD GALLIANO - French Touch [1999]

Tango accordion has a clear icon in the late Astor Piazzolla, but these days Richard Galliano is making a strong case for being the premier jazz accordionist. He's as lyrical as one needs, swings like mad, or brings tempos down to a sensual jog with passion and soul. When called upon, he can play a gut-wrenching tango or two himself. For this effort he's joined by two different crack rhythm sections, the brilliant Jean-François Jenny-Clark and Daniel Humair (seven tracks), or the slightly cut below Remi Vignolo and Andre Ceccarelli (four tracks), bass and drums respectively. It's not hard to hear a distinctly French but improvisationally Americanized sound. The lone standard, "You Must Believe in Spring," is one of many waltzes, but this one jumps from second to fifth gear, Galliano rapidly flying through the changes. The title track is also quick, with "Augusta" more a sprightly 3/4, while "L'Envers du Décor" is an easier modal three beat. Nods to Brazilian Hermeto Pascoal are heard on his composition "Bébé" and the mallets on drums and heavy conga beat-based fanfare and theme of "Passarinho." Galliano plays his accordion and whistles in unison on both tracks. Soprano saxophonist Michel Portal swings with Galliano, Humair, and Clark on the 6/8 "J.F.," while Clark duets with Galliano on "Sanguine," which is far from bloody, more like sweet sangria. "Heavy Tango" is as it is titled -- hard-driving and no holds barred -- and there's a slow samba, "Sanfona," one of nine of Galliano's written works. Even when the swing is light, as on "Caruso," Galliano's button pushing is active, pulsing, and popping. There's much to like on this, Galliano's most engaging CD. Perhaps some will beg for more variation, like the Portal cut. But these rhythm sections, especially Europe's finest Clark and Humair, push Galliano's artistry to greater heights, providing the listener with a unique experience in a jazz and even more so in a world music context. Highly recommended. by William Ruhlmann   
Tracklist:
1 Bébé 3:22
Hermeto Pascoal
2 A French Touch 3:08
Richard Galliano
3 J.F. 6:31
Richard Galliano
4 Caruso 3:33
Lucio Dalla
5 Heavy Tango 4:04
Richard Galliano
6 Sanguine 3:51
Richard Galliano
7 Augusta 5:21
Richard Galliano
8 You Must Believe in Spring 4:19
Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman / Jacques Demy / Michel Legrand
9 Passarinho 2:25
Richard Galliano / Dudu Tucci
10 Sanfona 3:09
Richard Galliano / Egberto Gismonti
11 L 'Envers du Décor 4:24
Richard Galliano
12 Tacot Blues 3:25
Richard Galliano / Daniel Humair
Credits
Accordion – Richard Galliano
Acoustic Guitar – Jean-Marie Ecay (tracks: 1, 10)
Double Bass – Jean-François Jenny Clark (tracks: 2 to 4, 6, 7, 11, 12),
                     –  Rémi Vignolo (tracks: 1, 5, 8, 10)
Drums – André Ceccarelli (tracks: 1, 5, 8, 10), Daniel Humair (tracks: 2 to 4, 7, 9, 11, 12)

RICHARD GALLIANO - French Touch 

[1999] Dreyfus Jazz / CBR320k / scans

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