Voyage
Michal Cohen voice (Tel Aviv)
Chris Bacas soprano, tenor sax (NY)
Stefan Bauer vibes/marimba (NY/GDR)
Pepe Berns bass (Berlin)
Roland Schneider drums (Berlin)
For his ensemble, Voyage, vibraphonist Stefan Bauer surrounds himself with musicians who share his inclusive aesthetic and who play with inspired ease and
intensity. Powerful saxophonist Chris Bacas, a veteran of the Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Buddy Rich Big Bands of the 80's, is now a fixture of numerous NY
cutting-edge formations. His stirring solos are as indispensable for Voyage as are his expressive musical dialogues with the voice - a formative element of Voyage's music. The remarkable Israeli singer, Michal Cohen, contributes greatly to Voyage's distinctive sound with her middle-eastern timbre and her outstanding capacities as an ensemble member as well as an improviser. Virtuoso bassist Pepe Berns - backbone and driving force for the multifaceted and demanding music of Voyage - proves to be one of Europe's finest bassists, while European drummer Roland Schneider combines the sensitivity of a sound sculptor with a firm rhythmical grip, forged in a decade and a half in NYC. Stefan Bauer, 'one of the best mallet players on the international scene' (Percussion Creativ) and 'a player of no uncertain gifts, strong in the technique and introspective feeling' (Jazziz), completes this strong cast of musicians with his dynamic playing and subtle musical leadership with the result being a very distinctive and notable ensemble.
An invitation extended to Voyage by the International Jazz Festival in Moers/Germany 2006 resulted in two concert tours in Germany and in an invitation
to the Jazzkaar Festival '08 in Estonia with a memorable concert at the Russian Theatre in Tallinn. The CD 'Voyage' was released by JazzHausMusik in 2008.
MANITOBA STYLES, CANADA, SEPTEMBER 2008
Like the late Don Cherry, Bauer has long enjoyed a rare ability to draw other music (from folk fundamentals to digital programming) into jazz without forcing the fit. On Voyage, Bauer’s new band of the same name finds much more sustenance in textures and snaking melodies than it does in traditional jazz theme-solo structure. Bassist Ugonna Okegwo, drummer Ted Poor and saxophonist Chris Bacas are up for it, and Cohen is a revelation – trumpet, flute and soul without words.
Randal McIlroy