Peter Fessler - Fly! (2012)

The eminence of German vocal jazz is back! Peter Fesperanto Fessler´s new jazzalbum FLY! will be released in June 2012. Fessler´s trademark melody garlands shine through all the songs, but not every song illustrates improvised jazz. Even people who don´t like jazz will notice the elegant, sophisticated phrasing and will inevitably be drawn into Fessler´s sound cosmos. The German-Canadian artist has been a household name in vocal jazz for more than 30 years now. With stunning ease, he combines different musical worlds, with spheric sound structures as in Tokyo Morning“, Brisa“ and the classic Estate“ as well as through refined rhythmical sections in Postcard from Brazil“, A Ra“ or Funky Bossa“. But he always remains true to his own soundvisions both as a composer and singer. Under the impression of a recent trip to Brazil, he recorded the whole album not only as a singer but played accoustic guitar, too. Deliberately Fessler places reminiscences of Joao Gilberto, Tom Jobim and other masters of Bossa Nova with virtuosity. The name Fesperanto“ is made up from Fessler and Esperanto, kind of his own artistical category and an artistname acquired in an advanced period of Fesslers career. Listen to the trombone-like vocal solo in his own song Brisa“: Far from virtuous scat-vocals you might expect from an artist of his distinction, this singer does not imitate instruments, he has turned himself into a true instrument!

New York, Rio, Tokyo“ turned into a slogan that played an important role in Fessler´s musical journey to the worlds jazz metropolises in the past as in present times. His band consists of true masters of their kind: Danny Gottlieb, drummer legend from the original Pat Metheny Group, accounts for a footing of virtuous ease and creative intensity. This is challenged by the outstanding bassist Decebal Badila, who is even able to playfully double along Fessler´s scat-solo in Joao Donatos A Ra“. A novelty in Fessler´s work, charming guest-voices Kira Wolf (Germany) and Theresa Hott (Brazil) appear in 3 songs. Only the voices of the enchanting choir sections are all sung by the master himself. Postcard from Brazil“ is the outstanding song of this CD and illustrates Fessler’s concept of Fesperanto“.

Among his own compositions, alongside with There goes Love“ (lyrics by Phyllis Molinrary) and October Reverie“, Tokyo Morning“ forms one of the highlights. The magic sound structure of this song creates a downright symphonic impression crowned by the sax solo of Friedemann Matzeit (Berlin). Chapeau! All arrangements and compositions were penned in collaboration with guitarrist and producer Ralph Herrnkind. Former fellow students Fessler and Herrnkind met again years later at a studio recording with Jaco Pastorius` sons. That was the initial spark for FLY! 10 songs of amazing melodical beauty, exotic rhythmic sounds and melancholic depth (Estate). A real Fesperanto“ album!