Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate 75

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate 75

(Heads Up, HUCD3162)



This 2 CD set is really close to my heart, having pretty much grown up with  Joe Zawinul.  I knew him quite well during my Los Angeles-jazz days; he was always entertaining, unpredictable and endlessly searching for that “new sound.”  Born in Austria, the keyboardist came to the U.S. in 1959, where he obtained some fine jazz education with the likes of Maynard Ferguson, Dinah Washington, and Cannonball Adderley’s band, with whom he stayed for 10 years.  He contributed several “hit” songs to the Adderley repertoire, including, arguably, his most popular “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.”



Zawinul’s short tenure with the storied Miles Davis led to the writing of another legendary composition, “In A Silent Way” – which can be found on this current recording (more on that later).  The 75 in the title refers to his years on this earth, since he left us in 2007 at that age.  This, then is a tribute to a most prolific musical storyteller, who wasn’t afraid to try many forms to express himself – and bring out the very best in his compadres.



From the first track on Disc #1, entitled “Orient Express,” to the last on Disc 2, “Hymn,”an almost anthemic end to a startling 91 minute adventure, the exploration never stops.  There’s even a special rendition of “Happy Birthday,” vocalized by the Belgian singer Sabine Kabongo (of Zap Mama) with a stunning conga solo by one of the numerous percussionists.



Zawinul is best known for his seminal synthesizer work, especially during his days with the highly popular Weather Report; however, he’s no slouch on the acoustic or electric keyboards, as evidenced on “Madagascar” .



With such a vast array of percussionists, there’s no shortage of  fire and dynamism.  On “Fast City/Two Lines” (taken from two previous tours), the tempo and energy are breathtaking, contributed in no small part by the phenomenal bass player Linley Marthe.



As an added bonus (the part I was eagerly anticipating) there is a guest appearance by soprano saxophonist and Weather Report collaborator, Wayne Shorter.  The symbiosis these two always had was unique in all of musicdom.  Here they lay down 14 minutes of  sheer magical, musical beauty in a totally improvised reworking of Zawinul’s most famous composition.  I rest my case for jazz (in a worldmusic setting, of course). 



– Francesca Nemko