CD REVIEWS (excerpted)
Homage to the Masters
Born in Zurich in 1969, the saxophonist C.M. has studied jazz history intensively and internalised it -
in particular, the tradition of the master tenor saxophonist. In his playing we recognize them all: Sonny
Rollins (in the cadences of the ballad "The Nearness of You"), Dexter Gordon, and especially John
Coltrane, to name but a few. On his latest CD, the experienced hard bop musician salutes all these
greats, taking the listener on an impressive journey. Both Münchinger's compositions and his
improvisations are full of references to his idols. "Eibreh" (read the title backwards) is a particularly
witty piece. This is a clever reworking of Herbie Hancock's composition "One Finger Snap", which
inspires the Bandleader and his sparkling fellow musicians to exciting improvisation. (...) Nick
Liebmann, NZZ 3. /4.5.2003
One of the best jazz saxophonists announces his comeback with an explosive album. This is the sunny
side of modern jazz: diverting, dynamic and disarming. I still Münchinger's Quartet and their latest live
album playing pleasantly in my mind. Whether in the role of a bandleader, composer, or solo artist,
Münchinger is a musician of the first order, and "Nimbus Dance" is his best yet. Taking all the latest
sound structures, Münchinger proceeds on a very familiar path - bossa, modal jazz (further eclectic
echoes of his idol John Coltrane), a variety of different beats and time changes, and compositions of
varying lengths. But never fear - "Nimbus Dance" never seems too overwrought or top heavy. A
satisfying, invigorating, jazz album. Concerto, 2/2003
This is the third album released under his own name by the small German label Mons Records. The
Zurich-born saxophonist C.M. shows us what can be done when, instead of concentrating all your
energies on producing completely original works, you focus instead on recent jazz history and try to
take it a step further. With the exception of the traditional "The Nearness of You", all the tracks are
penned by Münchinger and pay homage to the great stylists - from Herbie Hancock and Thelonious
Monk to John Coltrane. The result is totally "modern mainstream", sometimes with a "straight ahead”
feel, then back to balladic again; but always inspired, full of feeling, and played to a high standard. This
is not only a great performance from Münchinger himself, at his best on the tenor sax, but also from
his young comrades. (...) Michael Zollinger, Jazz n’ more, 11/2002
(...) for the first recording, Münchinger has picked some challenging material: trying to refashion "Body
an Soul" on your debut isn‘t the the easiest task, or "inner urge": if you aren't over- hauling in then
you`re, inevitably, being placed up against some fiery improvisers.(...)
...the strong tenor sound that first hits us on "Eronel" is convincing - somewhere between Five Spot
Johnny Griffin and Charlie Rouse. And Münchinger tackles the form. He tries to cut, jab, break his
sound apart, to explore the tune.(...) Greg Buium, Cadence, December 2000
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS (excerpted)
The Christian Münchinger Quartet wowed audiences on Friday in the Spinni Halle
. This performance was another example of the high standard of jazz that is around at the moment. (...)
The ensemble kicked off the evening with "Give and Take", a more restrained piece, which served to
demonstrate their mastery of rhythmic and harmonious complexities early on. Stefan Stahel on the
piano, in particular, shines with his integration of angular and dissonant phrases. (...) Another of the
Quartet’s characteristic sis their compact group sound, in which band members Fabian Gisler (on bass)
and Elmar Frey prove over and over again that they are so much more than mere "accompanists". (...)
Geri Krebs, Zuger Presse 2.3.2002
Jazz You'll Feel in Your Very Bones
(...) Münchinger, an ambassador for modern mainstream jazz, also wins us over with his band. Whether
they are playing ballads or hard bop, the Quartet is above all, dedicated. Singsong or tootling would be
as unthinkable to them as any kind of concession to a uniform direction. Münchinger, a born
bandleader, gives his comrades plenty of room for self-expression. Thus is born a homogenous jazz
that has its roots in the clever combination of soloisticability and inherent teamwork. (...) And when
Münchinger swims wholly with the modern jazz tide, he takes his influences from a variety of eras,
beginning with the legendary Thelonious Monk, continuing with the immortal John Coltrane, and
incorporating elements from Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder. The influences of such luminaries of
music can be heard in Münchinger's melodies, but never jar with the saxophonist's own sound. His
compositions are exact and energetic, creating a jazz sound you'll feel in your very bones. (...) Renato
Bagattini, Zürcher Oberländer, 24.3.2003
Tantalising Tales
One of the amazing things about language is that, even with a limited number of words, you can always
find new things to say. The 33-year-old CM, a tenor saxophonist from Zurich, proves that the same
can be said of music beautifully. (...) He knows how to use an existing vocabulary, which merges the
influences of the great jazz saxophonists, to tell tantalising tales that you won't hear on every street
corner. He has a full, self-possessed style, with which he plays cleverly constructed phrases. These
reveal the composer in Münchinger, who proves his capabilities with numbers as imaginative as they
are concise and which currently make up the lion's share of his repertoire. «Trane's Refrain», for
example, is both a respectful and powerful tribute to the ever-inspirational John Coltrane, and the title
really came into its own at their live performance at Berne's Dampfzentrale, formerly a steam factory.
«Give & Take», on the other hand, reminds us of the whimsical, convoluted compositions of Herbie
Nichols. (...) Georg Modestin, Der Bund, 3.3.2003
Innovation and Enjoyment Christian Münchinger knows precisely how to take relevant, recent jazz
history and process it, reflect it, rejuvenate it, and, in doing so, to keep it alive. He takes the influences
of the great masters seriously, borrowing them and putting his own creative spin on them. He does
this with a great deal of inventiveness, enjoyment and ability. (...) Lindth Zeitung, 6.11.2002
(...) Münchinger is going for versatility, and, in addition to his own compositions, he and his Quartet
interpret traditional tunes in a fresh, new way, setting off on a musical journey...With his indisputable
technical ability and his impressive sound, Münchinger is one of Switzerland's greatest tenor
saxophonists. Oltener Tagblatt, 21. /22.3.2002
..The tenor saxophonist C.M demonstrates his completely legitimate desire to pay tribute to his idol
Dexter Gordon. It is interesting that Münchinger's music melds Gordon and early Coltrane...
Kurt Weil, Jazz n’ more 4/2000
Coltrane forever: CM, who is currently releasing his first CD, is one of this school. That the CD is being
released on the well-known German Mons label speaks volumes for the quality of his work! (...)Beat
Blaser, DRS 2, 12/1999
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