A magic duo: Chico Freeman, 65, Saxophoneophonist, clarinettist, flute player, composer from Chicago, an eminent improvisor and Heiri Känzig, 58, born in New York, the Swiss double bass virtuoso. A transatlantic dialogue between one of America’s most versatile Saxophoneophonists and one of Europe’s most ‘all-round’ bass players.

Freeman and Känzig share that passion for the centre of gravity of the Jazz tradition, albeit with one precondition: that of transformation. And, with all their abilities for strong, heavy grooves, there is that preference for melody. „If you groove like hell and there’s no melody, it makes no sense.” (Känzig).

Peter Rüedi writes in the liner notes to The Arrival: „We could also read ‘The Arrival’ as something of an arrival at the centre of Jazz: Jazz, in the present tense. Or as it were: tradition in transition.

Graphic design: Jonas Schoder
Photos: Marcel Meier
Liner notes: Peter Ruedi

Recorded December 13, 14, 2014 at Hard Studios Winterthur by Andy
Nehresheimer for Radio SRF and Intakt Records. Mixed by Andy Nehresheimer. Mastered by Willy Strehler. Produced by Intakt Records, Patrik Landolt.