CANCELLED: Paul Heller meets Philip Catherine

European Jazz Legends #19

It has long been good manners to point out that terms such as "legendary" and "legend" are used all too often. Unlike in the USA, for example, where the inflationary use of superlatives is not only an integral part of marketing, but also of everyday language, we (still?) have a somewhat sober approach to such XXL predicates in this part of the world. And that's a good thing. But when the guest of this NLJ edition appears as part of the "European Jazz Legends" series, it is no coincidence. Philip Catherine i s a European jazz legend.

The man with the English pronounced first name and the French pronounced surname (born in London, grown up in Brussels) has played with countless greats on both sides of the Atlantic - among them Stephane Grappelli, Jean-Luc Ponty, Chet Baker, Benny Goodman, Tom Harrell, Dexter Gordon, Nils-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Carla Bley, Toots Thielemans, Klaus Doldinger, Didier Lockwood and Jasper van't Hof's Pork Pie with Charlie Mariano One of his most important influences is Django Reinhardt - it is no accident that Charles Mingus (on whose album "Three or Four Shades of Blues" he can be heard) once called him "Young Django". A friend of swinging Straight Ahead Jazz, but also of intimate chamber music and Rockjazz fusion, a melody-loving avowed melancholic (for his former duo partner and instrumental colleague Larry Coryell a "true romantic") and a friend of gripping grooves. Whether on the electric or acoustic guitar, Philip Catherine always cultivates a singing tone that makes it instantly identifiable.

Such a master of his trade deserves companions who do him justice. And once again, the host can trust proven forces, colleagues and friends who have been involved in so many unforgettable next-level jazz evenings: Pianist Martin Sasse and Paul Heller's brother, bassist Ingmar Heller.