TOUGH TENOR

Christoph Grab: Tough Tenor, big band music in pocket format

JazzAscona is delighted to host one of the most significant, versatile and creative Swiss Jazzmen of today. Some have rightly called him “a tradition-conscious modernist.”  We are talking about Christoph Grab, saxophonist, composer and arranger, who for his artistic merits will be rewarded with the Swiss Jazz Award 2023, the prize that JazzAscona annually gives to outstanding personalities of the Swiss Jazz scene and which will be presented to Grab at his concert on June 24.

Christoph Grab has had Andy Scherrer, Sal Nistico, Jerry Bergonzi, Joe Lovano and Dave Liebman among his teachers and mentors. He boasts numerous radio and television recordings, countless tours, concerts, and performances around the world with the likes of Ray Anderson, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Irene Schweizer, Benny Golson, Joe Beck, Mark Egan, Danny Gottlieb, Frank Moebus, and many others.

Grab is also highly sought after as a freelancer and is active internationally in various ensembles and with various personal projects that reinterpret the roots of Jazz in a contemporary key. At JazzAscona he will present three projects: Reflections (on 6/24), Tough Tenor (on 6/27) and Root Area (on 6/28).

With Tough Tenor, Christoph Grab offers big band music in pocket format! Grab adapts the music of the legendary Count Basie with much freshness and contemporary spirit, without ever sounding “retro.” Together with Hammond organist Marcel Thomi and “Mr. Swing” Elmar Frey on drums, Grab breathes new life into compositions such as “Basie Straight Ahead,” “The Cute” and “Ya gotta try harder.” The trio often invites guest performers to its concerts. And in true style, also at JazzAscona the lineup will be joined by a horn player from New Orleans.