Home » Jazz Musicians » George Gruntz

George Gruntz

George Gruntz was a Swiss jazz pianist, organist, harpsichordist, keyboardist and composer known for the George Gruntz Concert Big Band, and his work with artists such as Phil Woods, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Don Cherry, Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin and Mel Lewis.

Gruntz, who was born in Basle, Switzerland, was also an accomplished arranger and composer, having been commissioned by many orchestras and symphonies. From 1972 to 1994 he served as artistic director for the JazzFest Berlin.

Tags

1
Radio & Podcasts

George Gruntz, Gary Burton, Mathilde Grooss Viddal and More

Read "George Gruntz, Gary Burton, Mathilde Grooss Viddal and More" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


This show features a mix of modern jazz out of America and Europe, including music by the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, Gary Burton, David S. Ware, and Mathilde Grooss Viddal. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 David S. Ware Quartet “Bliss Theme" from Great Bliss Vol. 1 (Silkheart) 1:00 Billy Harper “Quest in 3" from Somalia (Evidence) 10:00 ...

269
Album Review

George Gruntz/Allen Ginsberg: Cosmopolitan Greetings

Read "Cosmopolitan Greetings" reviewed by William Grim


This album is a recording of a live performance of George Gruntz's so-called jazz opera Cosmopolitan Greetings, with texts taken from selected poems written by Allen Ginsberg. There is a bit of confusion here because Ginsberg's last volume of published poetry was also called Cosmopolitan Greetings ; however, the poems used for the opera come not from the book of the same name, but Ginsberg's earlier work.

The opera is supposed to be an impressionistic overview of the ...

247
Album Review

George Gruntz: Mental Cruelty

Read "Mental Cruelty" reviewed by AAJ Staff


The original issue of George Gruntz's 1960 soundtrack to Mental Cruelty was as obscure as it gets. The 100 LPs printed at the time immediately disappeared into the abyss due to some corporate bullshit, leaving a gaping black hole at the start of the Swiss pianist's recording career and a severe market price for the record in the range of $1000.

Atavistic's appropriately titled Unheard Music Series imprint has picked this disc up for reissue, including all 18 ...

133
Album Review

George Gruntz: Mental Cruelty

Read "Mental Cruelty" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Atavistic's Unheard Music Series, curated by John Corbett, has unearthed some obscure and curious music. So far most of it has been avant-garde and experimental sounds, pressed on vinyl years ago and hitherto available only to collectors. This session by pianist/orchestra leader George Gruntz is an exception to the UMS rule and proves itself to be an exceptional bop recording.

Swiss pianist George Gruntz was hired to create a soundtrack to the film Mental Cruelty, and taking ...

170
Album Review

George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band: Merryteria

Read "Merryteria" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Pianist, bandleader George Gruntz names the various sections of his “Concert Jazz Band” after types of angels, as the liners allude to his personal sense of sanctification after all these years of performing and touring with an aggregate of jazz notables. With that and Gruntz’ seemingly cheerful persona, the title of his latest project - Merryteria once again conveys the bandleader’s bright outlook spoken through his contemporary and thoroughly hip arrangements!

Trombonist Dave Bargeron steers the band while imparting some ...

152
Album Review

The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band: Liebermann -- Live at Jazz Fest Berlin

Read "Liebermann -- Live at Jazz Fest Berlin" reviewed by Jack Bowers


So how many ways are there to say that the music on the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band’s album, Live at Jazz Fest Berlin, is on the whole pleasant but doesn’t really move me? Only one, I suppose — the music on the GGCJB’s album is on the whole pleasant but doesn’t really move me. Neither can I find much to censure. The orchestra is first–class, the arrangements (all except Rolf Liebermann’s five–part “Symphony for Jazz Ensemble” inscribed by Gruntz) ...

Read more articles
1

Obituary

George Gruntz Remembered

George Gruntz Remembered

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey

The death of George Gruntz last Thursday brought responses from dozens of the musicians who played in his Concert Jazz Band over the past 40 years. The Swiss pianist, composer and arranger hired an international who’s-who of players for his annual tours in Europe, the United States and South America, among other places around the globe. To name a few, his sidemen or guest soloists included established stars like Elvin Jones, Jimmy Knepper, Dexter Gordon, Sheila Jordan and Herb Geller. ...

Photos

Music

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.