Paul Heller invites Harry Allen & Martin Sasse

From Lester Young & Herschel Evans to Dexter Gordon & Gene Ammons, not to mention John Coltrane & Cannonball Adderley: the energetic clash between two saxophonists is always one of the great moments in jazz. They are often referred to as "musical duels", although it is usually more of a sporting and collegial affair. The encounter between tenorists Paul Heller and Harry Allen will certainly not be characterized by competition, but rather by the unbridled joy of the two musicians' friendly dialogue. The two great saxophonists, who are just five years apart in age, have a lot in common. Even if one of them is generally impulsive and spirited (Heller) and the other rather cool and relaxed (Allen), both are far too proficient in all styles and playing techniques not to be able to swap roles at any time.
This is definitely also due to the fact that Harry Allen, the hip swing and mainstream saxophonist from Washington, is not the only guest on this evening: with Allen, Martin Sasse, Markus Schieferdecker and Joost van Schaik, Paul has invited the complete quartet that recorded the furious album "Live at Bird's Eve" in 2022: a relaxed and relaxed, yet highly intense work of sound art, sometimes rhythmically furious, sometimes in pure balladic beauty.