Jens Lindemann
Foden’s Band
Conductor: James Gourlay
Doyen: DOYCD283
Total Playing Time: 64:05

The art of performance comes in many forms: Ballet dancers flow gracefully evoking images and emotions; gymnasts flip and fly through open space as if to defy gravity; a magician conjures disbelief from out of thin air.

However, despite the awesome spectacle, you still know that the end result is down to hour upon hour of sheer hard graft.

They are skills that have been honed to perfection over many, many years.

Exceptional talent

Jens Lindemann is a case in point: An exceptional performer, blessed with an immense raw talent, he is the first to admit that he has worked his socks off through an inherent desire to make the most of his gifts.

In interviews he always speaks with pride of his parents; German immigrants, whose work ethic has been passed down to him.  

That has seen Lindemann travel all over the musical world to ply his trade  – and he has been a welcome visitor to these shores for a number of years, working with Black Dyke, Foden’s and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

Terrific form

With Foden’s he seems to have found a band that also fully understands and appreciates his performance needs – and under James Gourlay they are in terrific form in a recording that took place not long before their own outstanding performance at the RNCM Festival of Brass in January.

The soloist explains in the programme notes that the recording was designed as a meeting of North American style with British brass band substance – the result of which is a remarkable display of virtuoso flexibility that encompasses different musical genres.
 
It’s a release that expertly caters for a host of musical tastes:  There’s a couple of concertos, an operatic aria, a classic from Freddie Mercury and Queen, and some delightful religiously inspired offerings.

Ripper

Alan Gilliland’s title track concerto showcases the soloist at complete ease in three contrasting movements. 

The opening ‘101 Damnatians’ is a ripper, the haunting ‘Prayer’ is beautifully refined and the concluding ‘Lower Neighbours’ finale is a spicy salsa.

Peter Meechan’s engrossing ‘Apophenia’ sees Lindemann swap between trumpet, Bb, Eb cornet and flugel horn in what is a marvellous performance of captivating fluidity and control.

The pacy rhythmical opening immediately engages the senses, whilst the Pink Floyd inspired central movement, features his velvet flugel tone along with a suave trumpet in big band style. 

The concluding section encompasses a terrific virtuoso cadenza that takes the breath away: Every plaudit is fully deserved.

Eloquent

Himes’ take on ‘Amazing Grace’, is given a performance of eloquent lyricism, whilst the ‘Shenandoah Fantasy’ features the soloist on a trio of instruments – all played with a stunning degree of facility.
 
Ray Farr’s popular arrangement of ‘On with the Motley’ mirrors another Meechan arrangement, ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ in bravura interpretations – real heart on sleeve stuff that invariably brings more than a tear to the eye and a rumble to the roof struts of a concert hall.

‘The Strait of Hormuz’ once again sees the multi-talented soloist instrument swap with ease, whilst the laidback ‘Dusk’ from Hugh Fraser’s ‘Concerto for Jazz Orchestra’ is deliciously deceptive as the eardrums are tested courtesy of some high-octane trumpet playing.

Subtle elegance

With around an hour of flair and virtuosity, the disc closes with the opportunity for tasteful reflection in ‘Give Me Jesus’, accompanied with subtle elegance by Robin Dewhurst on piano.

It also confirms Lindemann’s outstanding musicianship.   

‘Dreaming of the Masters’ is an outstanding, engrossing solo release, enhanced by wonderful accompaniment and production values – from the razor sharp sound engineering to the informative sleeve notes.

It is quite simply, a superb example of the art of performance.

Malcolm Wood

Contents

Dreaming of the Masters III, Allan Gilliland, Jens Lindemann (Trumpet, Cornet and Flugel Horn) with Foden's Band�����

1. I. 101 Damnations, 6.03
2. II. Prayer, 6.20
3. III. Lower Neighbours, 3.05
4. Amazing Grace, William Himes, Jens Lindemann (Soprano Cornet and Flugel Horn) with Foden's Band, 3.38
5. Shenandoah Fantasy, Jay Chattaway, arr. Todd Fiegel, Jens Lindemann (Piccolo Trumpet, Trumpet and Flugel Horn) with Foden's Band, 7.51
6. On with the Motley, Ruggero Leoncavallo, arr. Ray Farr, Jens Lindemann (Trumpet) with Foden's Band, 3.13
Apophenia, Peter Meechan, Jens Lindemann (Trumpet, Soprano Cornet, Cornet and Flugel Horn) with Foden's Band�����
7. I. 5.17
8. II. 4.30
9. III. 3.09
10. Who Wants to Live Forever, Brian May, arr. Peter Meechan, Jens Lindemann (Trumpet and Flugel Horn) with Foden's Band, 4.11
11. The Strait of Hormuz, Sam Pilafian and Patrick Sheridan, Jens Lindemann (Piccolo Trumpet, Cornet and Flugel Horn) with Foden's Band, 7.00
12. Dusk from 'Concerto for Jazz Orchestra', Hugh Fraser, arr. Sam Pilafian and Patrick Sheridan, Jens Lindemann (Trumpet and Flugel Horn) with Robin Dewhurst (Piano) and Foden's Band, 6.01
13. Give Me Jesus, Traditional, arr. Wycliffe Gordon, Jens Lindemann (Flugel Horn) with Robin Dewhurst (Piano) and Foden's Band, 3.04