Three elegant gentlemen and a charming lady clad in a long dress are the four musicians that 4 to the bar consists of. Should you now be thinking about bar music, you are absolutely right – however not in the sense of the location with alcoholic beverages, but rather the musical staff bar. Four-four time reigns here, so listen and we dare you to keep your feet still!
The critics turned up their noses in the 60s when jazz had a short, but heated affair with South American dance music – yet the new sound was a great success amongst the audience. 4 to the bar adores this music and supplies us with its European version of it.
This style, however, is not simply replayed, but newly composed and interpreted completely differently with bossa nova, samba and jazz elements.
The band incorporates its ideals into current day life, even transfers them onto pop songs that are familiar to all from the radio but have never been heard in that style. All remains different! This way, 4 to the bar succeeds in avoiding the typical problem that arises at dance parties, being that the fans of classical ballroom dance, the disco freaks and the rock and rollers cannot agree on a certain musical direction.
Such drive and esprit urge everyone onto the dance floor, making them feel good. Even after simply hearing the band’s CDs at home on a dry run, one feels an energetic burst, is supported by musical wings, buoyant, almost dancing into everyday life. This can of course also occur with other songs, but one is seldom seduced in such a subtle way…
Miriam, the racy vocalist, is not only a feast for the eyes: Her silky voice creates a fascinating antipole to percussionist Robert Kopp’s titillating rhythm, whom Miriam additionally backs up with diverse percussion instruments. Stronger, on the other hand, the masculine voice of bass Andreas Stroh, making the duo sound quite charming. Bandleader Stroh spins and embraces his acoustic groundwork instrument just like a dance partner. Arranger Claudiu Gheorghiu on the keyboard is in charge of the jazzy note - whenever a grand piano is available, the group can perform totally acoustically.
4 to the bar is always live, no electronic tricks are needed. This quartet claims that jazz can dance, and has proven so during each concert since 1990.
4 to the bar plays primarily for celebrity performances, be it the inauguration of the Adlon Hotel at Berlin’s Brandenburger Tor, Stern magazine’s fiftieth anniversary or Le Mans’ 24-hour-race, or simply during company celebrations and private parties.