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Christian Winther

Since moving to New Orleans in 1997 Danish born saxophonist and composer Christian Winther has established himself as a in-demand saxophonist on the jazz scene through his soulful versatile sound. His four recordings on the Steeplechase label have earned him critical acclaim from many national and international jazz publications. Winther has toured the US and europe as the leader of the Christian Winther Quartet and performed as a sideman with many New Orleans jazz groups.

Some of the musicians Winther has performed and/or recorded with include: Ali Jackson, Vincent Gardner, Shannon Powell, Herlin Riley, Billy Drummond, Marcus Printup, Richard D. Johnson, Rodney Green, Reuben Rogers, Fredrick Sanders, Germaine Bazzle, Preservation Hall among others.

Winther's latest recording "Refuge In Sound" (2016) features all original compositions by the leader and a all-star group comprised of Allyn Johnson-piano, Mike Moreno-guitar, Reuben Rogers-bass and Billy Williams Jr.-drums. Winther's playing is strongly rooted in the jazz tradition, but he exerts a versatility that allows him to apply his sound to many varied musical situations. Winther notes: “being a musician in New Orleans, you are privileged to experience so much different music as part of everyday life, and you start to realize how you can draw from all those sources”. Offbeat magazine says of Winther - "While swinging is often at the forefront, a refreshing element is the ease of how Winther moves both to more free ranging realms, while he glances back to the musics tradition".

Born In Denmark, saxophonist, clarinetist and composer Christian Winther was introduced to jazz by his fathers albums of jazz masters such as Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. At the age of 11 Winther began playing the clarinet; Louis Armstrong was among his first influences. Then Winther heard the music of Charlie Parker and John Coltrane and the saxophone seemed the logical next step. He studied with saxophonist Darryl Barber and attended the Skidmore Jazz Institute and was encouraged to continue his studies in jazz by the late legend Milt Hinton. Winther studied at the University of New Orleans with Ellis Marsalis, Ed Petersen, Victor Goines, Steve Masakowski and Harold Battiste. While attending the University of New Orleans he performed with notable jazz names such as Frank Morgan, Ellis Marsalis, Alvin "Red" Tyler and Harold Battiste.

Christian Winther released his debut CD “Perspectives” in 2001. Following his debut Winther has recorded 4 CD's on the SteepleChase label - “Blue Function” (2004), “The Only Plan” January (2006), “Soul House” (2008) "From The Sound Up" (2011) and his latest release "Refuge In Sound" (2016) on his own imprint, Sound Perspective Music.

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8
Album Review

Christian Winther: Refuge In Sound

Read "Refuge In Sound" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Danish-born saxophonist and composer Christian Winther moved to the New Orleans area in 1997, attended the University of New Orleans and performed regularly with some of the legends of jazz including pianist Ellis Marsalis and the late saxophonist great, Frank Morgan among many others becoming a much in-demand fixture in the city's rich and vibrant jazz scene thereafter. Delivering his fifth album as leader, Refuge in Sound is a remarkable album featuring all original compositions of post-bop material rooted in ...

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Album Review

Christian Winther: Soul House

Read "Soul House" reviewed by John Barron


Influenced by tenor saxophone giants Charlie Rouse, Paul Gonsalvez and Dexter Gordan, Danish-born musician Christian Winther improvises with a soulful, hard-bop edge, reveling in the joyous traditions associated with his instrument. The New Orleans-based saxophonist assembles a spirited quintet for Soul House, his third release as a leader.

Winther's deep-toned tenor lines are well developed with heartfelt flourishes. His lyrical twists and turns on the Kenny Kirkland ballad “Dienda," the lesser-known Thelonious Monk swinger “Green Chimneys" and the title track ...

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Album Review

Christian Winther: Perspectives

Read "Perspectives" reviewed by Dr. Judith Schlesinger


This new young tenorist was born and bred in New Orleans. He took up the clarinet at 11 and by age 13 was playing clubs with local pros. As with so many others, the music of Charlie Parker inspired him to switch to sax. At the University of New Orleans he studied with noted patriarch Ellis Marsalis, among others, and has toured the US and Europe with both modernand traditional New Orleans bands.

"Perspectives" is his debut CD, ...

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Recording

Saxophonist Christian Winther Releases "Refuge In Sound" on Sound Perspective Music

Saxophonist Christian Winther Releases "Refuge In Sound" on Sound Perspective Music

Source: Christian Winther

Christian Winther: Refuge In Sound (Sound Perspective Music). Release Date: March 7, 2016 Featuring: Christian Winther (saxophone) Allyn Johnson (piano) Mike Moreno (guitar) Reuben Rogers (bass) Billy Williams Jr. (drums) Christie Dashiell (vocals on track 3) Saxophonist Christian Winther's new release Refuge In Sound espouses the words of the great Louis Armstrong who once stated that “What we play is life." Since moving from Denmark to jny: New ...

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Performance / Tour

Christian Winther Quartet Scandinavian Tour Dates

Christian Winther Quartet Scandinavian Tour Dates

Source: All About Jazz

Christian Winther Quartet Saxophonist Christian Winther and his quartet will be performing at the Scandinavian “Winterjazz Festival" 2006. Christian Winther, saxophones Richard Doron Johnson, piano Neal Caine, bass Troy Davis, drums Jan.26 Skive Jazzklub, Skive. www.skivejazzklub.dk, Jan.27 Toldkammeret, Helsingoer. www.toldkammeret.dk Jan.28 Pakhus Scenen, Nykoebing Sjaelland Jan.29 Copenhagen Jazzhouse, Copenhagen. www.jazzhouse.dk Jan.30 Privat Koncert Jan.31 Frokostjazzen paa Rampelys, Silkeborg. www.frokostjazz.dk

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Performance / Tour

Tour Schedule for the Christian Winther Quartet

Tour Schedule for the Christian Winther Quartet

Source: All About Jazz


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Performance / Tour

Saxophonist Christian Winther at Snug Harbor

Saxophonist Christian Winther at Snug Harbor

Source: All About Jazz


Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Refuge In Sound

Self Produced
2016

buy

From The Sound Up

SteepleChase Records
2011

buy

The Only Plan

SteepleChase Records
2010

buy

Soul House

SteepleChase Records
2009

buy

Perspectives

Curious Cat
2003

buy

Looking Back

From: Refuge In Sound
By Christian Winther

Videos

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