Uli Lenz
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Uli Lenz | |
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Born | 1955 |
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument | Piano |
Years active | 1980 - present |
Labels | Tutu-Records, Arkadia Jazz, HGBS |
Website | [1] |
Uli Lenz (b. March 10, 1955) is a German composer, pianist, and producer creating music in the modern jazz genre.
Background
Born in Frankfurt am Main,[1] he began taking piano lessons at the age of four. In the seventies he studied music composition for classical Piano and Cello at Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium in Frankfurt/Main and played jazz at bars at night while completing his university degree during the day.
In the '80s Lenz toured through France, Spain, Italy and Israel as accompanist of well known saxophonists. In Berlin he took in the club scene and performed solo at the JazzFest Berlin in 1986. Also in 1986, he toured Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean as solo pianist. In 1987, he took in the New Yorker club scene. In 1988, Lenz recorded Live at Sweet Basil with bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Joe Chambers. In 1989, he performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival with bassist Guenter Lenz and drummer Allen Blairman.
In the '90s, Lenz worked with Steve Grossman and Abbey Lincoln. He spent the '90s as a mainstay on the festival circuit, playing numerous gigs all over the world. He also recorded with a variety of collaborators: saxophonist Johannes Barthelmes (1992's Konzert der Verlorenen Söhne and 1993's Trane's Tree), vocalist Patricia Nomakosazana Dhlamini (1993's Trouble in Paradise), and bassist Ed Schuller and drummer Victor Jones (1997's Echoes of Mandela), as well as solo (1995's Love Channel). In 1997, Lenz formed a trio featuring bassist Pepe Berns and drummer Thomas Alkier, who would accompany him through his European appearances. In 1999, Lenz signed with New York's Arkadia Jazz label and recorded an album with bassist Ira Coleman (musician) and drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez. Featuring guest spots from saxophonist TK Blue, Rainmaker's Dream was released in 2001[1] to high praise from the U.S. jazz community.[citation needed]
Lenz has recorded duets with Nomakosazana and trio jazz with Ed Schuller and John Betsch. In 2005 he worked and recorded duets with French saxohonist François Jeanneau. With duo partner Jeanneau he toured numerous countries including India and Pakistan. In 2010 performed and recorded a duo with bassist Ed Schuller. He also formerly toured on behalf of the German Auswaertige Amt, the German Goethe Institut and the French Alliance Française.
In 2007, Lenz founded the 105 Lenz-Kubach-Johnson Jazz Trio with bassist Gerhard Kubach and drummer Zam Johnson. Since 2013 Uli Lenz has worked primarily with the 105 LKJ, and in November of that year, the three musicians traveled to Africa on behalf of the Foreign Offices of Libya and Germany. In the Red Castle, the landmark of Tripoli, they gave an internationally acclaimed concert. The trio was the first foreign group to play in Libya for over forty years. In 2013, a record deal was secured with HGBS for the 105 LKJ. In its worldwide release in 2014, their first album, “Thinking About You“ received enthusiastic applause. Lenz's press agent is Red Haircrow.
Discography
- Midnight Candy, 1986, Enja 5009
- Live at Sweet Basil, 1989, Enja 6008, with Cecil McBee (b), Joe Chambers (d)
- Life at the Montreux Music Festival, 1991, B&W 005/006, with Günter Lenz (b), Allen Blairman (d)
- Konzert der verlorenen Söhne, 1992, Konnex 5035, with Johannes Barthelmes (ts, ss)
- Trane's Tree, 1993, Konnex 5057, with Johannes Barthelmes (ts); Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik 1994
- Trouble in Paradise, 1993, Tutu 888144, with Nomakosazana (v)
- Love Channel, 1995, Bellaphon 45100
- Echoes of Mandela, 1997, Tutu 888180, with Ed Schuller (b), Victor Jones (d)
- Rainmaker's Dance, 2001, Arkadia Jazz 71031, with Ira Coleman (b), Horatio "El Negro" Hernandez (d), T. K. Blue (as)
- Tenderness - The Art of the Duo, 2004, Tutu 888198, with Nomakosazana (v)
- Good-bye Venus, 2007, Tutu 888218, with Ed Schuller (b), John Betsch (d)
- Walking in the Wind, 2008, Tutu 888226, with François Jeanneau (s)
- Is there a life after Bradley’s ?, 2011, Tutu 888238, with Ed Schuller (b)
- Une Fille pop, 2011, Vila Mariana, with Emmanuel Tugny and the Lady Guaiba's Swing Band
- Thinking Of You, 2014, Hgbs (Fenn Music), with The 105 Lenz-Kubach-Johnson Jazz Trio
Interviews & Articles
- Hochkarätige, kleine Band – mit guten Vibrationen at Gießener Anzeiger Newspaper (July 16, 2014).
- Libyans and Germans hit high notes of Freedom at Libya Herald (October 8, 2013).
- An Evening of Dazzling Jazz at Hyderabad Western Music Foundation (July 10, 2010).
- Is There a Life After Bradley's? at Jazz Thing Review (2010).
- Der Jazz Ist Nicht Tot Interview at Nachrichten.Net (2009).
- Uli Lenz Biography at Art Planeta (2009).
Songbooks
- M. Kunzler Jazzlexikon Bd. 1 Reinbek 2002
References
- ^ a b Dass, Francis (28 November 2001). "Dance to Lenz's tune". New Straits Times – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . Retrieved 10 August 2014.