Projects
Grand Cru - Lanniliz - Petit Cru - Duo Guitar-Bass
Grand Cru
Christian Straube about this project: "Some time ago I had the idea to write compositions for accoustic guitar, brass, woodwinds and percussion. Compositions respecting each of these instruments and their qualities. It has been an inner departure again that lead to the ensemble GRAND CRU. I am very happy and thankful that I could convince some great musicians – all of them masters in their field – to collaborate with me in this project.
- David Kummer, he lives for his instrument, the oboe. He is a member of the Basler Sinfonietta and thus a rather classical musician. But this doesn't prevent him from trying out popular music too. Something he proves for example in "Suzy sur mer" where he is playing – surprise! – harmonica.
- Adrian Mears is someone you don't have to introduce to jazz fans. The Australian living in Southern Germany is one of the most important jazz trombonists of our times. Apart from playing in his own band he is playing in the Vienna-Art-Orchestra, in the Peter Herbolzheimer Big Band and he teaches at the music academy of Basel.
- Roman Caprez, a young classical brass musician from Switzerland, has a great sense for the nuances in chamber music. He plays trombone and Euphorium in the recordings of the trio-titles "Avant la fête" and "La Matino in Ticino".
- Reinhold Hirth, respectfully called "Ringo" by his musician collegues has already been the percussionist for Biber Records in the early Eighties. In the meantime he has played the drums all over Europe, for example with Biréli Lagrène, in the Horst Jankowski Big Band, with Hubert K. and Lydie Auvray.
- Thomas Heidepriem on the bass is another big name of the European Jazz scene. He has been touring with all the stars of jazz (yes, with all of them). And he has played in many old Biber Records productions, like in Friedemann's world success "Aquamarin". For more than a decade he is member of the HR Big Band in Frankfurt/Main.
- Markus Faller, an extraordinary percussionist is familiar with all kinds of musical styles. This is why he is a sought after musician for sessions. He has collaborated in over 70 CD-recordings during the past years. As a permanent member of several ensembles, as in the band of Friedemann and in the Thomas Siffling Quartett, he is also well known to the concert audiences.
The producer who has made this project come true with his musical sensibility and technical know-how is Friedemann Witecka. In the decisive moments of this production he has been the brain who never lost the total perspective. And finally he asked me to play the second guitar in one of my ballades. Thanks, Friedemann!
This is GRAND CRU! A challenge and a look into the future."
"Lanniliz" - guitar solo
In his new compositions Christian Straube has created a big musical cycle that he has called "Fleur Lanniliz". These precious guitarpieces have been created while being in Brittany in summer 2008. An influence you might recognise in the compositions, says Christian Straube.
The musician mixes Breton and oriental sounds with hard jazz chords and quotations of rock and blues. He won’t only play new songs in this solo project though. He lets his steelstring guitar sing like glistening silver perls and play with brilliant precision.
Petit Cru
Oboe and guitar – an accoustic revelation!
David Kummer from Switzerland playing oboe and Christian Straube with his guitar form the duo Petit Cru. This project was born from the cooperation in Straube's big music project "Grand Cru". The duo plays the music of this project but in a more intimate way like chamber music. In fact both instruments appear more fresh and intense in this formation.
Duo Guitar – Bass
The duo Duo of Christian Straube und Ralf Gauck is playing songs of both musicians. Ralf Gauck has been granted the award of German Rockpreis 2007 for his album “Fields of Gold”. He is one of the leading German bass players. The unusual ensemble guitar and bass combined with the poetic music of Christian Straube results in joyful concerts of free improvisation.
