Der 1958 in Zuerich geborene Gitarrist Harald Haerter gilt in der internationalen Jazzszene als eine der grossen Hoffnungen aus der Alten Welt. Amerikanische Kritiker-Koryphaeen wie Bill Milkowski und Bob Blumenthal ueberbieten sich gegenseitig in ihren Lobeshymnen auf das Talent dieses Musikers. So schreibt Bill Milkowski, sowohl im Guitarplayer wie auch im Jazz Times:"Harald Haerter possesses a singular approach; the phrasing, the breath-taking single note lines and daring harmonies employed the heat of improvisation are uniquely his own. His band is creating some of the most exhilarating music in contemporary jazz". Bob Blumenthal vom Down Beat meint zu Haerter: "He drives the music with his ranging sound and abundant ideas. His quintet gets a unique sound with the complementary guitars and the tenor of Dewey Redman. They were warmly received on their tours all over the United States". Nachdem Harald Haerter 1980-1984 am Berkley College und mit John Scofield studiert hat, gruendet er 1985 seine Band "Intergalactic Maiden Ballet", welche mittlerweile zu den wichtigsten Electric-Jazz-Combos gezaehlt wird. In der Folge arbeitete er mit Leuten wie John Zorn, Lee Konitz, Eddie Harris und Dave Liebmann, um schliesslich 1994 zusammen mit Dewey Redman sein sensationelles Quintett zu gruenden, mit dem er bis heute weltweit ueber 150 Konzerte gespielt hat. Dewey Redman, langjaehriger kongenialer Partner von Keith Jarrett und Ornette Coleman und unzaehligen anderen Giganten wie Wes Montgomery, B.B. King und Pat Metheny, stellt Haerters Bedeutung unmissverstaendlich dar: "He is one of the best musicians I have ever played with. There are very few like him around today. He is not only an excellent player but also an visionary artist. I really enjoy playing with him and recommand him highly - anytime, anywere!". 1997 begann ein weiteres wichtiges Kapitel in Haerters Laufbahn. Nachdem Star-Saxophonist Michael Brecker seine CD «Mostly Live» gehoert hatte, war er dermassen begeistert, dass er sich mit Haerter auf eine europaweite Konzert-Tournee begab. Hoechst begeistert von ihm und seiner Band beschloss er eine zukuenftige Zusammenarbeit in form einer ausgedehnten internationalen Konzertserie im Jahre 1999. Haerter ist somit der erste europaeische Jazzmusiker, mit dem der Saxophongigant Michael Brecker weltweit auf Tournee geht. Sein Kommentar: "Harald Haerter is a superb musician. An amazing guitarplayer with his own sound and conception. It is very inspiring to be on tour with him and his band". [] Michael Brecker A major figure in contemporary instrumental music, tenor saxophonist and composer Michael Brecker is a seven-time Grammy-winner, and the first to win "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance" and "Best Jazz Instrumental Solo" - two years in a row. As a result of his stylistic and harmonic innovations, Brecker is among the most studied instrumentalists in music schools throughout the world today. Brecker has recorded and performed with the most respected and renowned names in jazz including McTyner, Horace Silver, Chet Baker, George Benson, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Quincy Jones and Pat Metheny, not to mention an exhaustive list of pop icons - Lennon, Springsteen, Zappa, Sinatra, Taylor, Elton John, Diana Ross, Joni Mitchell. Paul Simon, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, etc. Most resently. Brecker recorded his seventh solo album. As yet untitled, the album features Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Haden and Jack DeJohnette. Produced by Pat Metheny and also featuring a guest appearance by James Taylor, the release date is september, 2001. Brecker himself was released in March, 1949 - born in Philadelphia. His father, an attorney and accomplished jazz pianist, exposed Michael and his brother Randy to jazz. Throughout his childhood, Michael was taken to see the likes of Miles and Monk, Adderly and Ellington - and many other greats. While Brecker first studied clarinet and alto sax, upon hearing the music of John Coltrane he switched to tenor. It was primarily the influence of John Coltrane that inspired Brecker to make music his live's endeavor. After a brief stint at the University of Indiana, Brecker heeded the beckoning call of New York. He soon became a founding member of the groung-breaking jazz-rock band dreams, one of the first fuse a jazz harmonic sensibility with rock and funk rhythms in the late '60s. In 1973, Michael and Randy ventured into the more traditional jazz szene as the front line of Horace Silver's quintet, only to follow that up with an immersion into funk at the helm of the now-renowned Brecker Brothers. During this time the brothers also opened the legendary club Seventh Avenue South, where late night jams led to evolution of the band Steps Ahead, which Brecker co-led and with whom he recorded six albums. In 1987, after Brecker recorded on more than 600 albums, he finally recorded his solo debut. The album Michael Brecker, was voted Jazz album of the Year by both Downbeatand Jazziz magazines. His second release, Don't Try This At Home, resulted in Breckers's first Grammy. For two consecutive years Brecker topped the Downbeat Reader's Poll in the Tenor Sax category. In 1990 came Now You See It...Now You Don't, an album focused on exploring unusual rhythmic frameworks, followed by a year and a half of recording and touring with Paul Simon. Michael re-teamed with brother Randy on Return of the Brecker Brothers, which led to 1994's Out of the Loop, which earned two more Grammys. This same year, the Brecker Brothers became the first electronic jazz group of international renown to touring through the People's Republic of China. 1995 and '96 saw Brecker working as a special guest with both Herbie Hancock on The New Standard (Verve), and with McCoy Tyner on Infinity(Impulse!). Brecker then toured extensively with both artists. In addition to two Grammy awards in 1997 (Michael's third pair in three consecutive years), Tales From the Hudson marked Brecker's reunion with Pat Metheny and Jack DeJohnette, who had appeared on his acclaimed solo debut. 1997 also saw Brecker named Best Soloist of the Year by JazzLife and Jazz Man of the Year by Swinging Journal, with the album being named Album of the Yearin reader's polls in publications worldwide. In 1998, Brecker's band (Joey Calderazzo, Jeff "Tains" Watts, and James Genus), recorded Two Blocks from the Edgejust as the band came off tour - only to hit the road again upon the album's release. 1999's Time Is of the Essence marked Brecker's use of the Hammond B3 organ and his first recording with legenady drummer Elvin Jones. The Michael Brecker/Pat Metheny Quartet followed this release with an extensive tour in summer 2000. The album has been nominated for two Grammys. Brecker's accomplishments assure that his time will forever be interwined with the history of music. In a review of Time is of the Essence, Jazzizmagazine stated, "You'll find no better example of stylistic evolution than Michael Brecker, inarguably the most influential tenor stylist of the last 25 years...on Time of the Essence, Brecker combines Heaven and Earth." [] Dewey Redman From his first gig, in a Baptist Church, to high school and Prairie View A&M University, playing march, concert and swing music, on through various rhythm and blues and jazz groups, Dewey Redman has achieved high respect and gained prominence in the music world. Dewey left a teaching career and weekend gig for full-rime duty as a musician. Finding San Francisco with a thriving jazz community, he settled down for a while, studying, playing and gaining needed experience for the ultimate trip to New York. Pharoah Sanders, Rafael Garrett and Monte Waters, with whom he co-led a big band, writing and arranging original music, were among many musicians he knew and worked with in San Francisco. During this period he recorded his first album, Look for the Black Star, still being sold today. After coming to New York, Dewey was re-acquainted with Ornette Coleman, an old high school friend. Coleman recognized Redman's talent, and a four year association began. While on a European tour with Coleman, Redman recorded his 2nd album Tarik (1969), named for his newborn son. Many other albums were made with Ornette. After Coleman, Dewey was featured with Keith Jarrett's Group. Displaying his versatility and adapting to an altogether different concept, Dewey gave the trust that made Keith's group one of the top groups playing. More traveling and recording many albums with Keith gave Dewey even wider exposure and more recognition. Dewey Redman also found time to play and record with the Jazz Composers Orchestra - albums with Carla Bley, Leroy Jenkins, Don Cherry, Roswell Rudd, Charlie Haden and others. During the mid-70s, Dewey Redman, as a leader, also recorded two albums for ABC-Impulse: The Ear of the Behearer and Coincide. Recent albums are Playing with Old And New Dreams (both on ECM), two albums for Galaxy, Musics and Sound Sign. Again on ECM The Struggle Continues with his present quartet. Dewey Redman is one of the most exciting artists around, and leads one of the most dynamic groups. He and his group have been well received, and critically acclaimed throughout the U.S.A. (especially New York City), Canada and Europe. Perhaps, the key to Dewey's artistry is his versatility. Being able to adapt, execute and communicate different styles, moods and tempos is a unique talent itself. A prime example of this is the way he plays the Musette (a small mid-east and North African instrument). The exotic sounds that come forth have garnered Dewey much praise from his peers as well as public, for his brilliant work on this instrument. Of special interest is the way Dewey uses his voice while at the same time playing the saxophone. The original concept was first expressed on his first album, (Look for the Black Star) and remains today a unique tool of his strong personal expression. Listening to Dewey Redman is hearing a consummate artist in his prime, whose message is clear, masterful and dynamic. Der Gitarrist Philipp Schaufelberger *1970 CH gilt als einer der wichtigsten Newcomer der Schweizer Jazzszene. Seit 1994 festes Mitglied des Harald Haerter Quartet, spielte mit Jim Black, Bill Stewart, Joey Baron, Klaus Dickbauer u.v.a. Feste Zusammenarbeit mit Pierre Favre "European Chamber Ensemble", "Singing Drums" und Lucas Niggli's "Zoom". Im Jahr 2000 Schweizer Tournee mit Paul Motion's Trio 2000. Baenz Oester *1966, CH, ist gegenwaertig einer der gefragtesten Kontrabassisten. Als Sideman von Dewey Redman, Joe Lovano, Bill Stewart, Michael Brecker, Ray Anderson, Joey Baron, Gary Bartz, Jim Black, Walter Norris, Nene, Michel Godard, Adam Nussbaum, Pierre Favre, u.v.a. erspielte er sich den Ruf eines ausgezeichneten Bassisten mit starker Ausstrahlung und eigener Sprache. Auch er ist seit 1994 festes Mitglied des Harald Haerter Quartet, verfolgt jedoch auch eigene Projekte wie z.B. die Gruppe GAS, die 2000 aeusserst erfolgreich mit Joe Lovano tourte. Marcel Papaux, Schlagzeug *1960, CH, Zusammenarbeit mit dem Trompeter Matthieu Michel und dem Pianisten Thierry Lang, mit dem er sechs Plattenaufnahmen gemacht hat, zwei davon auf dem Renommierlabel "Blue Note". 1993 gewinnt er mit dem Begleittrio von Patrick Muller den 1.Preis, verliehen von den frankophonen Radiostationen. Seit 1993 festes Mitglied der Harald Haerter Band. Unzaehlige Konzerte in Europa und den Vereinigten Staaten mit beruehmten Musikern wie Dewey Redman, Michael Brecker, Arthur Blythe, Art Farmer, Johnny Griffin, Dave Douglas, Fred Hersch, Lee Konitz, Ray Anderson etc. Er beteiligt sich auch an Projekten unterschiedlichster musikalischer Herkunft wie "Rosetta", dem Tissot-Papaux Duo, zudem div. Projekt in Zusammenarbeit mit Heiri Kaenzig, Paul McCandless, Art Lande, Diatonikachromatik, Pierre Favre "The Drummers", und Claudio Pontiggia's New Project.