The new orleans four is a remarkable quartet:
- it is made up of four bandleaders
- has a highly unusual line-up
- plays frequently heard music with rarely heard ability, charm and drive
New Orleans Jazz, to which the quartet is committed, is the melodious, spirited and moving music of New Orleans in the 40s, 50s and 60s, particularly the style of the various groups around clarinettist George Lewis, as it possibly sounded in the Creole backyards of the French Quarter.
Many bands that once began with this music, sound different today.
THE new orleans four went the opposite way. After playing many nuances of New Orleans Jazz in their various bands, the four musicians now join together to play the "famous" style. And their sum total of experience swings along with it all.
The reduced line-up offers greater leeway for each of the four, but naturally also greater assignments than in the conventional 7-man band. And here lies the charm: hearing just how all the musical attributes of a full band are so captivatingly performed by four musicians. A bit of show, a few lyrics, everything that's needed - little wonder with the stage experience of these jazz musicians.
The four:
Reimer von Essen cl/as/voc
is leader of the renowned Barrelhouse Jazzband and has made more than 20 LPs with it and with the Jazz Classics, the Ragtime Society and the Art Hodes International Trio. His repertoire ranges from spiritual depth to vaudeville exuberance.
He is also the amusing anchorman of the quartet with intimate knowledge of the material.
Harald Blöcher tb/voc
is leader of the Tailgate Jazzband and in the International New Orleans Jazz Family enjoys the reputation as best German trombonist. He has played in many well-known New Orleans bands, as aptly testified by recordings with the White Eagle Jazzband, the Red Hot Beans, the New Orleans Jazz Babies and the Ragtime Society. Rooted in tradition, earthy yet elegant, his trombone sound has never come over better than with this line-up.
Herbert Bohn bjo
is leader of the Red Hot Beans, played for many years in the Barrelhouse Jazzband and (as Reimer von Essen) is an Honorary Citizen of New Orleans and known as a driving force in the Frankfurt jazz scenario. His speciality is the typical New Orleans rhythm without frills, with a soulful touch: playing characteristics that fully come into their own with this quartet.
Peter Hermann dr/voc
was leader of the La Vida New Orleans Band. Always around but never in the limelight, he plays New Orleans drums comme il faut, classical and thus timeless. His solos never let one forget the melody of the piece. His total commitment in playing is always evident, he is also the group's key vocalist.
This line-up has existed now for almost 20 years, two CDs have been recorded, the band has performed at the Ascona New Orleans Festival, has appeared on television ... and for five years now generally plays "plus one", the "one" being
CLIFF SODEN b
from the Barrelhouse Jazzband, former member of Colin Dawson's Onward Band, a stylist who blends so well with the music of the "NO4" that it's now mostly called
THE new orleans four plus one!