Grazie anche a casa Cam, abbiamo realizzato di come le strade del pianista John Taylor e quelle di Kenny Wheeler spesso si incrocino per regalarci paesaggi sonori di incomparabile bellezza. Abbiamo imparato a conoscere Kenny Wheeler in molte sfumature, e tutte diverse tra loro: dal mitico trio Azimuth; con Anthony Braxton ancora prima, con Dave Holland poi. Lo abbiamo ammirato per il suo stile nella cosiddetta musica improvvisata; come compositore e arrangiatore anche, specie per Maynard Ferguson. Tuttavia negli ultimi anni quando si ascolta un disco di Wheeler non si può che rimanere impressionati dalla sua arte poetica, da quel suono (alla tromba e al flicorno), da quel lirismo inconfondibile che agisce sulla soggettività del poeta, con prevalenza degli aspetti emotivi e sentimentali su quelli razionali. Così sono anche le sue composizioni, soavi ma risolute. “One Of Many”, che lo vede impegnato in trio con John Taylor e Steve Swallow, favoloso e completo motore ritmico ma anche melodico,di “One Of Many”, opera di rara intensità e bellezza. Leggi qui il bellissimo articolo che All About Jazz Italia ha dedicato agli 80 anni di Kenny Wheeler
Kenny Wheeler has long been one of the most advanced voices on his instrument. Blessed with a full, lovely tone and an astounding range, Wheeler sounds equally at home in fiery free jazz explorations or softer, more lyrical post-bop meditations. Wheeler has written over one hundred compositions and is a skilled arranger for small groups and larger ensembles. His compositions blend lyrical melodies with a distinctive and ever changing harmonic palette. Although resident in England since 1952 and often thought to be an English musician, Kenny Wheeler was born in Canada in 1930 and began playing trumpet at age 12. After studying at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory, he moved to London in 1952, where he gigged with swing and dance bands. In the 1970s, Wheeler played with Anthony Braxton, and went on to record the well-received Gnu High, which established him as a soloist of note. Wheeler turned out a series of excellent albums, including 1977’s Deer Wan and 1983’s Double, Double You (that year, Wheeler also began a four-year run with the Dave Holland Quintet). Several more generally fine outings followed in the ’90s, including the ECM dates Music for Large and Small Ensembles and The Widow in the Window and other recordings. Kenny Wheeler is a true innovator and a consequential part of modern music.
Now about him Johannes Wohlleben ( Kenny Recording Engineer says : " Many years ago I recorded Kenny Wheeler in different jazz formations, but it was the Cam Jazz recordings that showed me Kenny's playing as absolutely unique"
