David Fettmann Trio - Ruby Project (2015)

There are not many saxophonists who have such a unique sound and clear structures in their language of music at a relatively young age. David Fettmann is only 37, and the "Ruby Project" only his second album under his own name.
Following his highly acclaimed debut CD "Prelude" released in 2011, which put the Frenchman born in Strasbourg into collective consciousness as one of the most interesting European alto saxophonists of the current generation, Fettmann now—precisely in troubled times such as these—takes off on a quest. Subtly, unobtrusively but consistently as never before, the musician coming from a Jewish family acknowledges his cultural roots and consequently indirectly sets a sign for understanding among peoples and against discrimination based on religion. When he rearranges old Hebraic liturgies such as "Lecha Dodi", "Maoz Tzur" and "Avinu Malkeinu" or Jewish folk songs such as "Abi gezunt" for his trio with organist Guillaume Naud and the drummer Johnathan Blake, his primary objective is tolerance. At the same time, Fettmann also composed a bunch of his own songs, which do justice in every note to the essence of his philosophy of the peaceful coexistence of cultures.

David Fettmann's grandmother Ruby, the declared center of the family, acts as godmother of the ambitious project. "I have dedicated this album to her and my family," the alto saxophonist stated. Precisely due to the reduction to the trio format, Fettmann remains true to his principle of not providing any platform for egocentric solos, which could possible annoy listeners, but he instead opens a wide-ranged field for all involved. The result is a both closed and breathtaking sound, which fascinates above all thanks to its innumerable nuances and facets and covers a wide and amazingly logical range between profound Hebraic spiritualism and modern jazz vocabulary.

David Fettmann has a Master's Degree in Jazz (from the Lemmens Institute in Leuven, Belgium), a Bachelor in Music (from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Netherlands) and a diploma in jazz from the National Conservatory in Nice, France. He also won first prize in the category jazz saxophone there. He was alto saxophonist in the ONJL (Orchestre National Jazz Luxembourg) from 2005 to 2012, with which he accompanied George Duke, Dee Bridgewater, Paquito D’Rivera, Richard Bona, Patti Austin, Helge Schneider and Didier Lockwood, among others. Fettmann also belongs to the "Orchestre de Jazz de la Musique de l’Armée de l’Air" and the "Electro Deluxe Big Band".

The organist Guillaume Naud graduated from the renowned Parisian jazz institute CIM, has worked with renowned musicians such as Michel Legrand, Youn Sun Nah and Stéphane Belmondo and has released several albums under his own name. The 42 year old is considered an extremely sensitive accompanier and expressive soloist.

The two Frenchmen received US American support from Johnathan Blake, one of the most interesting drummers of the current generation. The journalist John Murph called him the "ultimate modernist" due to his song-like and at the same time irresistibly grooving rhythm. Blake first caught the attention of the public as a permanent member in the bands of Tom Harrell, Kenny Barron, Oliver Lake, Roy Hargrove and David Sanchez. The 38 year old can look back on collaboration with Hans Glawischnig, Alex Sipiagin, Donny McCaslin, Avishai Cohen, Omer Avital, Shauli Einav and Jaleel Shaw as well as approx. 50 releases and his own CD in the meantime.

Tracklist:

01. Pop 1 (7:24)
02. Lecha Dodi (6:44)
03. Before (4:52)
04. Maoz Tzur (5:00)
05. Pontoise (5:19)
06. Abi Gezunt (5:52)
07. Kabanos Time (6:00)
08. Avinu Malkeinu (6:40)
09. Phoenix (5:58)

Personnel:

David Fettmann (saxophones),
Jonathan Blake (drums),
Guillaume Naud (organ).