Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet featuring Julian Lage, Asante Santi Debriano, Will Calhoun

• Jazz, Blues, Swing & Chanson

No false modesty: in English, paramount means the top, the ultimate. With Joe Lovano and Julian Lage, two topmost soloists from two generations of jazz truly come together in the Paramount Quartet. They have already known each other for a long time and mutually motivate each other for flights of improvisation. Their accompanists Will Calhoun and Asante Santi Debriano give them the necessary inspiration and ideas every second.

Joe Lovano is a giant of the tenor saxophone, admired worldwide and so versatile like no other. With the serene authority of a grandmaster, he puts jazz from all sides in the best light. Julian Lage, who is this brilliant, amiable guitarist who plays completely effortlessly, and, without a break, releases an organic mix of melodic and chordal playing from his guitar. He has been a welcome guest at the Elbphilharmonie since it opened in 2017 and you can now experience him for the sixth time.

Will Calhoun is an energetic drummer, who can also arrange very complex rhythms so that they flow. Bassist Asante Santi Debriano, who was born in Panama, is not as well known in Europe as would be appropriate for his status. He played with legends, such as Archie Shepp and Sam Rivers, for a long time, collaborated on more than 100 recordings and leads an exciting nonet in New York with the Arkestra Bembe, which plays many pieces from his output.

The Paramount Quartet itself has to date neither made vinyl recordings nor can you find online recordings of any of their live concerts. So, all the greater is the excitement and anticipation for a band, which will certainly play tremendously well.

PERFORMERS

Joe Lovano saxophone

Julian Lage guitar

Santi Debriano bass

Will Calhoun drums