JANI MODER’s BRAIN BLENDER project
Jani Moder: guitars
Marko Churnchetz: fender Rhodes, piano
Robert Jukic: el. “baby” bass
Klemens Marktl: drums, percussion
Optional:
Flip Philipp: vibraphone, marimba
Berklee College of Music graduate, Jani Moder has asserted himself as one of
the leading Slovenian jazz musicians. Member of EMJO, European Movement
Jazz Orchestra, the guitarist has worked with a number of acclaimed jazz
musicians. Jani Moder has performed in Europe, USA and Africa and has
recorded over 40 cd’s as a sideman. Following his debut album, Momentum, its
sequel Sky High Low Down (with a highly prominent Hammond organ), Moder
has now released his third album, Abacus, which “blends and blenders diverse
musical contexts into a unique whole”. Moder overwhelms with mellow but also
harsh sound and variegated arrangements ranging from intimistic abstractions
to all but groovy odd-meter rhythms.
REVIEWS:
- Mario Batelic, review of performance and the 55th Ljubljana Jazz Festival in
Krizanke.)
“The first to perform at the 55th Ljubljana Jazz Festival in Krizanke was the
Slovenian-Austrian project Jani Moder’s Brain Blender led by Slovenian guitarist
Jani Moder. The quintet played music from their latest album, Abacus (Moder’s
third original release), which “blends and blenders diverse musical contexts into
a unique whole”, if we cite the guitarist’s definition of the band’s sound as well
as approach to various techniques and jazz styles. The beautifully harmonious
group astounded with its elaborate collective interplay as well as vibrant solo
passages, which all band members indulged in besides the leader.
With his strings, Moder dexterously steered the course of the playing and varied
the intensity of the group’s sonic interaction. He would occasionally draw away
and add colour to the backdrop by softly plucking his strings; his extended solo
flights were invariably sensibly embedded into the flow of the music. The
quintet astounded with the fluidity of its playing and rich assortment of moods,
ranging from intimistic fluctuations and associations with fusion to scintillating,
fiery funk and rock”. (Mario Batelic, review of performance and the 55th
Ljubljana Jazz Festival in Krizanke.)
http://www.ljubljanajazz.si/index.php/en/gallery/21-root-en/gallery/85-jani-
moder-s-brain-blender-2
- Henning Bolte, All About Jazz, review of the 55th Ljubljana Jazz festival
Jani Moder's Brain Blender, a Slovenian-Austrian combination led by Slovenian
guitarist Moder, functioned as the musical festival opener at the big open air
venue, Križanke. The band was comprised of well known Slovenian keyboardist
Marko Črnčec, bassist Robert Jukic and Austrian percussionists Klemens Marktl
on drums and Flip Philipp on marimba. Moder's music leaned to a more tranquil
variant of fusion, often switching to a Pat Metheny-informed style of playing.
Moder went into more contemplation modes as well as adopting a more
incendiary approach to his solos, especially in the second half of the set. His
band mates delivered some nice solos, too. The group finished its set with an
Eastern- tinged piece, spinning out its beautiful melody. (HENNING BOLTE,
DUTCH JAZZ CRITIC)
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/ljubljana-jazz-festival-2014-by-henning-
bolte.php?page=1#.U-JWQ0JhifQ
- David Gilmore, New York City, 2012, liner notes in album Sky High Low Down
In the rich history of guitar-hammond B3 collaborations, one may think that
there is not much left to discover and explore,
but Jani Moder doesn't think so. With the augmentation of alto and drums, he
has put together a truly fantastic and energetic ensemble
that pushes the boundaries of this traditional configuration into the 21st
Century.
With thought-provoking melodies, varied rhythms over odd-meters with metric
modulations, and rich harmonic colors, the band floats
seamlessly through the often challenging tunes. From the waltz-like "Yellow",
the upbeat and funky "Exhale", the introspective and
melancholy "A Little Prayer Would Help", and the mini-epic "Vile" with it's varied
story-like sections, Jani's compositions have warmth, depth and variety.
Not only are they skillfully written and clever, but they also contain the most
important ingredients in a guitar-organ combo - groove, feel and vibe!!!
Kudos to this wonderful musical gathering, and to the bright future of the
wonderful Slovenian guitarist Jani Moder.
David Gilmore, New York City, 2012
- All about jazz: review by Jerry D’Souza: album Sky High Low Down(Barnette
records, 2012)
Guitarist Jani Moder brings an array of styles into play on Sky High Low Down,
with a sense of accomplishment that never lets the movement or the mode get
ahead of his field of vision. He carries his art into bop as easily as he does into
a ballad that coaxes a rainbow of soft colors from the song's harmonic folds.
The quartet gets off to a lively start with exuberance on "Exhale." The hint of a
Latin melody coalesces into upbeat funk driven by saxophonist Jaka Kopač,
before Moder brings in some thick notes that soon slip into bop. Moving the
tempo up while keeping the momentum loquacious, the guitarist then loosens a
flurry of juicy notes. What makes it all the more interesting is the hardier métier
that Kopač injects to extend the composition's organic grasp.
Interplay casts a warm glow on "Blueish." Moder is introspective casting space
judiciously before changing the trajectory with a charged locution that
electrifies the atmosphere. The blues find its vent as organist Erik Marence lays
down a soulful terrain, washing it in soaring notes and in the transposition of
the melody into inventive shores. The detail is rich, as drummer Klemens Marktl
tingles on the cymbals and hits a deep groove to drive the beat.
The jumpy, effervescent "Mixed Emotions" is set into motion by Moder. After he
works the changes under the saxophone, the guitarist comes back to let his
instrument sing and romp as he unveils the melody. Moder lays the framework
of his skills on the line as he seamlessly essays changes across a mellifluous
and impressive tonal range.
Moder's 4Tet keeps interest percolating with an entertaining array of rhythms”.
- “The pieces progress across a fairly diversified musical landscape, in which
Jani Moder’s compositional manoeuvres intersect with electrified funk and
occasionally also with fully liberated detours”. (Anze Zorman, Rockonnet; review
of the album).
JANI MODER biography
Jani Moder was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and moved back to Slovenia
when he was 3 years old. He started playing classical guitar when he was 8
years old and took lessons for 10 years. He graduated from jazz guitar with
honors at Karntner LandesKonservatorium in Klagenfurt, Austria. At audition in
Paris he received scholarship for prestigious Berklee College of Music and
received scholarship from Slovene ministry of culture. At Berklee he was
recipient of Stephen D. Holland Award for outstanding musicianship and
graduated with honors in 2 years. He was also chosen among 10 students to
sign a contract with Berklee’s Jazz revelation records where he is featured on
the Cd called Common Ground. He studied with Mick Goodrick, Joe Lovano, Hal
Crook, Dave Samuels, Jeff Galindo, Darren Barrett, Tim Miller, Brett Willmott,
Rick Peckham, David Gilmore,… Jani Moder has worked and recorded with many
internationally established musicians (Aaron Parks, Dave Samuels, Alex Sipiagin,
Renato Chicco, Jonathan Blake, Tommy Crane, Chris Tordini, EMJO- European
Movement Jazz Orchestra, Big Band RTV SLO, Ratko Divjak, Primoz Grasic,
Drago Gajo, Krunoslav Levacic, Janez Boncina Benc and September, Dado Topic,
Oto Pestner…only to name a few, in Europe, USA and Africa. He has also been
active as a leader or a sideman on many different projects. Jani Moder released
3 Cd’s, Momentum (2008) and Sky High Low Down (2012), Abacus (2014) and
received great reviews from critics and listeners all over the world and recorded
over 40 Cd’s as a sideman.
Show less
