General Category > Prerecorded Tapes
New Christian Jacob Reel To Reel Project
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Dr. AIX:
My name is Mark Waldrep and I started and operate AIX Records as well as write a daily blog at RealHD-Audio.com. A couple of years ago, Christian Jacob approached me about recording a solo piano project "Beautiful Jazz" (he's been Tierney Sutton's Music Director for years and is a fabulous player). He explained that he was interested in releasing both a CD AND vinyl LP.
I offered to record the sessions at both 96 kHz/24-bit PCM and reel to reel tape on my Nagra IV-S with QGB large reel adapter so that we could keep the signal paths completely distinct from each other. I took my Nagra to Trew Audio in LA and had it all tweaked and setup (it has been some years since I've recorded on analog tape). I purchase a bunch of RMG International 911 tape and we spent a long day at Zipper Auditorium capturing his project. It sound gorgeous in both formats.
The Tape Project's own Paul Stubblebine did the mastering for the vinyl release.
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog and mentioned the project and its analog provenance. A gentleman from Australia contacted me and asked it he could get a reel to reel copy of the master tape. I asked the artist and he agreed. So I picked up the masters and have made arrangements with Tim Jordan rentals to get a Studer A820 deck during the last weekend of the month to do transfers. These will be 2nd generation copies directly from the master to the Studer machine. I thought I would let readers of this forum know about the project.
If anyone is interested in this project, I'd be happy to add you name to the list of current customers. Simple contact me at [email protected] and I can fill you in on the project.
Thanks for the bandwidth Paul.
Here's a couple of reviews:
Criticaljazz.com
Christian might be best referred to as a post bop modern jazz impressionist with the harmonic base similar to Bill Evans or perhaps Keith Jarrett. A deft and lyrical touch finds a melodic range of fluid motion that is effortless as it is nuanced. Highlight here are far too numerous to list but include exquisite arrangements on "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "My Romance." There are a few surprises that thanks to the prolific talent of Jacob reach a new level of beauty and include "Giant Steps" and "Body and Soul." Staying true to his artistic integrity Igor Stravinsky's " Etude No. 4 F# Major" simply confirms the obvious, this is a release that should have come out much sooner!
Christian Jacob also works within an acclaimed trio ensemble and has an impressive musical resume that time and space simply will not allow me to list here. Nothing to grind on here, Christian Jacob and Beautiful Jazz is just that...
~ By Brent Black
All About Jazz
“Beautiful Jazz: A Private Concert is Jacob's love letter to the genre that whisked him away from the waiting arms of the classical world. He tackles old favorites here, revisiting and/or revising some of the very material that drew him toward jazz in the first place. Jacob brings a sense of wonder to "How Long Has This Been Going On?" tackles "That's All" in seven, muses on "My Romance," and delivers an information-dense "Surrey With The Fringe On Top." Jacob also tips his cap to pianist Bill Evans with "I'm Old Fashioned," references his classical upbringing through Stravinsky's "Etude No. 4 in F# Major," and delivers a wonderful "September Song" arrangement that's devoid of improvisation.”
“This whole program was recorded at a private concert at Zipper Hall in Los Angeles, with Jacob playing on a Hamburg Steinway Model D Grand. Both the scene and the instrument helped to shape this album, but it's Jacob who delivers on the promise of the title. Beautiful Jazz it is.”
~ By Dan Bilawsky
ironbut:
Sounds like a wonderful recording.
I saw Christian with Tierney a couple of years ago at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Great stuff!
Good luck with your release!
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