Barbara, born in Munich in 1964, discovered her instrument at age 11,
whene an organ was the Christmas gift she received from her parents who
where enthusiastic about jazz. Only a few years later, 15 year old
Barbara performed regularly in local jazz clubs. After high school she
started her career as a professional musician and soon became one of
Germany's top jazz artists and one of the leading organ players on
both sides of the Atlantic.
Sold-out concerts and a lot of prizes and poll awards show Barbara's
popularity and high critical acclaim. She has been voted number 1 organ
player (TDWR) by Down Beat and received the German Critics' Award
twice, but most important to her is the growing number of fans who are
taken by Barbara's thrilling music and natural charms.
Barbara's versatile and virtuosic playing is rooted in the mainstream
of jazz: blues, swing, and bebop, but representing the younger generation
her music combines further modern directions in a mixture of swinging
straight-ahead jazz, groovy funk, Latin pulse, soulful ballads, and all
kinds of blues. Especially in her own tunes, she takes excursions to new
musical worlds, including the avantgarde.
As well as developing her own unmistakeable musical style, Barbara also
opens up new technical perspectives for the organ. Combining (via MIDI)
the legendary sound of the Hammond B 3 with samplers and synthesizers,
Barbara makes sound constellations possible which are absolutely unique,
and makes good use of them in her compositions. Written especially for the
organ, her own tunes explore a multitude of sounds, rhythms, and harmonies,
showing a high degree of inspiration, feeling, drive and groove.
It has always been a special experience to see Barbara Dennerlein's
brilliant technique live in action. When, at a breathtaking speed her foot
is tap-dancing precisely on the bass pedals or even both feet fill in a
"bass solo" in a quite acrobatic way, Barbara regularly meets with
astonishment and incredulity. At the same time, she is playing on both
organ manuals and pushes and slides her sounds, programs and volumes.
As hands and feet work almost independente from each other, Barbara's
technique never blocks the flow and facility of her playing.
Photo: Andreas A.P.Anetseder
- Barbara Dennerlein - DISCOGRAPHY
- 1983 Jazz Live with Alan Waterson (d)
- 1984 Orgelspiele with Peter Wolpl (g), Jorg Widmoser (v); Harald
Ruschenbaum (d)
- 1985 Bebab with Alan Praskin (as); Jurgen Seefelder (ts); Herman
Breuer (tb); Joe Nay (d)
- 1986 Days of Wine & Roses with Peter Wolpl (g); Wolfgang Haffner (d)
- 1986 Tribute to Charlie with Peter Herbolzheimer's rhythm combination
and brass
- 1987 From the Roots up Today with Jurgen Seefelder (ts), Wolfgang
Haffner (d)
- 1988 Straight Ahead with Ray Anderson (tb), Mitch Watkins (g) Ronnie
Burrage (d)
- 1988 Barbara Dennerlein Plays Classics with Christoph Widmoser (g)
Andreas Witte (d)
- 1989 Live On Tour with Oscar Klein (tp, g); Charlie Antolini (d)
- 1990 Barbara Dennerlein Duo with Andreas Witte (d)
- 1990 Hot Stuff with Andy Sheppard (ts); Mitch Watkins (g); Mark Mondesir (d)
- 1991 Mozart No End and The Paradise Band with Friedrich Gulda (p)
Paradise band & guests Munchner Philharmoniker
- 1992 That's Me with Bob Berg (ts); Ray Anderson (tb); Mitch Watkins
(g); Dennis Chambers (d)
- 1992 Barbara Dennerlein Solo live recording
- 1993 Barbara Dennerlein B3 Sampling CD
|
