Gruntz, George
Act, 2005, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 12.1
Jazz Ruler Type: Classic
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: You may know George Gruntz as the leader of JazzFest Berlin, a popular big band in Europe in the 1970s and 1980s. He has been prominent in many jazz ensembles as a leader and pianist since but this is his first solo recording. There are several special things going on here. First he is playing a Steinway Series D piano, one of the best. It is placed inside of the Protestant Witikon Church in Zurich with outstanding acoustics. And he has chosen a wide variety of selections including several originals mixed with wonderful arrangements of classics like “My Foolish Heart”, “I Loves You Porgy” and “A Night In Tunisia”. Most important is the performance execution of all of the above ingredients. Here, Gruntz shines adding all of the dynamics and poise necessary to make this solo effort as fulfilling to the listener as his work with large ensembles.
