Johannes Enders »Standard Questions«

Johannes Enders (soprano/tenor saxophone), Oliver Kent (piano), Doug Weiss (bass), Gene Calderazzo (drums)

The impetus for Johannes Enders’ group Standard Questions (and the new album of the same name) came from the idea of focusing on pieces that contain a question. With a top-notch international lineup, the award-winning six-foot-tall musician from Weilheim (SWR Jazz Prize, New German Jazz Prize, German Music Authors’ Prize, Echo Jazz, and many others) embarks on a live journey through a repertoire consisting primarily of standards from the American Songbook, presented in a slightly reimagined style. In doing so, he addresses life’s questions with a healthy dose of humor, just as one would expect from the master. 

On piano is the Austrian Oliver Kent. Kent originally received a classical education, then studied jazz piano and music theory in Vienna starting in 1987, where he has also been teaching since 2002. Over the course of his career, he has worked with many international greats such as Art Farmer, Idris Muhammad, and Eddie Henderson. In 2002, he received the Hans Koller Prize, and in 2007, he shared the New German Jazz Prize with Johannes Enders. 

On bass is the American Doug Weiss, a fixture on concert stages and in jazz clubs around the world. As an integral part of the middle generation of the New York jazz scene, he has regularly performed with jazz greats such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Al Foster, Seamus Blake, Chris Potter, and others.

.

And on drums is New York native Gene Calderazzo. Like his younger brother Joey Calderazzo, Gene is among the best in his field. He has played with Branford Marsalis, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders, and many others. He has lived in the United Kingdom since 1995, where he has taught and continues to teach at several institutions.