Written by In the dynamic world of the German jazz scene, one name stands tall – Johannes Enders. This German saxophonist, composer, producer, and educator has carved an impressive path through the musical landscape, and now, he’s hitting the road again, gracing the stages of German jazz clubs with a fresh and electrifying sound. In this jazz journey, we’ll delve into the captivating career of Johannes Enders and his exciting new venture.
Johannes Enders’ story is a tapestry of talent and dedication. Since 2009, he’s held the prestigious position of a jazz saxophone professor at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre in Leipzig, Germany. But his musical journey began long before the 1990s when the German jazz label Enja recognized his exceptional skills. His roots trace back to the late 1980s when he made waves in the United States, leaving his mark as an outstanding European saxophonist in both New York and San Francisco. Returning to his homeland, Germany, he embarked on an artistic adventure, forming his own bands and projects that have enriched the jazz landscape. These include the Johannes Enders Quartet, ZeitGeistMaschine, Endersroom, Endersdom, and captivating duos with Günther Baby Sommer and Rainer Böhm. Notably, he also played a pivotal role in the Tied & Tickled Trio, a project that left an indelible mark on contemporary jazz.
Johannes Enders is far from resting on his laurels. He’s back in the limelight with an exciting new trio that promises to take audiences on a mesmerizing musical journey. Alongside him are the Munich-based double bassist Henning Sieverts and the Spanish drummer Jorge Rossy, a seasoned musician who spent a decade with Brad Mehldau’s “The Art of the Trio.” Together, this trio creates a sound that offers Enders vast improvisational freedoms across multiple musical dimensions.
Label: Ammerton | enja | AT008
Their latest endeavor, “Sweet Freedom,” is an album dedicated to one of Enders’ greatest inspirations, Sonny Rollins. The album’s title is a clever nod to Rollins’ renowned “Freedom Suite,” but Enders and his trio don’t merely replicate Rollins’ work. They reimagine it, infusing it with their unique, fresh, and gripping interpretation. Even the track titles tell a story of innovation and reinterpretation, with “Air & Gin” instead of “Airegin,” “There Will Always Be Another Mystery” in place of “There Will Always Be Another You,” and “Like Sonny In Love2” transforming “Like Sonny.”
Johannes Enders and his trio are taking this sonic adventure on the road, embarking on a tour of German jazz clubs that still uphold the true spirit of jazz. From September 14th to November 25th, 2023 (Full tour dates listed below – ed), they can be seen at selected venues presenting their live show. As a testament to his dedication, Enders brings along his recently released LP “Sweet Freedom,” available on his own label, Ammerton (a sublabel of Enja Records).
And there’s more in store for jazz enthusiasts. In October 2023, another album, “Microorganisms,” is set to released. Recorded live at Graz’s “Tubes” on April 30th of this year,
Label: Ammerton | enja AT009
the album features the exceptional Italian Hammond B3 player Renato Chicco, whose organ mastery rivals that of a bass. Pianist Richie Beirach’s liner notes for this live recording perfectly capture the essence of the music: “Everybody shines throughout this recording, and it really sounds like a BAND to me, not just a session. Listening to this gives me a great feeling of musical satisfaction – rare today, unfortunately! Congratulations to Johannes, Renato, and Jorge! Great job!!”
As we embark on this musical odyssey with Johannes Enders, one thing is clear: his passion for jazz knows no bounds. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of his craft and reimagining the classics ensures that each note is an invitation to explore new horizons. So, mark your calendars and prepare to be enthralled by the sounds of Johannes Enders and his extraordinary trio, as they remind us all that jazz is a boundless journey of creativity and discovery.
Tour Dates:
14 Sept – King George – Koln
15 Sept – Hemmingway Lounge – Karlsruhe
16 Sept – Galarie A. Schlosspark – Ismaning
21 Sept – A Trane – Berlin
22 Sept – Stocker Maschinenhalle – Pfaffenhofen
23 Sept – Jazz Studio – Nurenburg
11 Nov – Jazztage Ammertone – Weilhiem
24 Nov – Jazzclub Engl. Bahnhof – Husum
25 Nov – Rat.Haus Cafe – Wolfratshausen
More information can be found at Johannes Enders website.
Featured Image by Jan Scheffner
Last modified: September 13, 2023
