Julian Lage »Scenes from Above«

Four Free Spirits in Harmony

“There is a disarming generosity in his music,” wrote The New York Times about guitarist Julian Lage. This is especially true of his latest stroke of genius, the album *Scenes from Above*: Although the ideas for the individual compositions all came from him, the music didn’t take its final shape until through close, trusting collaboration with his quartet colleagues. “I wasn’t interested in presenting them with a piece that was finished from A to Z,” says Julian Lage. And it’s paying off—not least because, with Jorge Roeder on bass, Kenny Wollesen on drums, and John Medeski on the organ, three of the very best jazz musicians bring their own distinct styles to this all-star quartet. The combination of guitar and Hammond organ evokes memories of the gospel-inspired soul jazz of the 1960s, peppered with driving funk grooves and Latin American dance rhythms. “Scenes from Above” is music to dream to, a masterpiece by four kindred musicians who have come together here to create an incomparably soulful sound.

Lineup

Julian Lage guitar

John Medeski Hammondorgan

Jorge Roeder bass

Kenny Wollesen drums

Program

“Scenes from Above”

Venue: Elbphilharmonie / Main Hall

Organizer: HamburgMusik