If one wanted to compile a "Who's who" of European jazz music: The pianist and composer Klaus Ignatzek deserves a particularly comprehensive entry. It's not without reason that critics repeatedly rank him among the leading keyboard artists on this continent. He has been at the forefront of the European jazz scene for more than 30 years. As a pianist, composer, and bandleader, he has earned international respect and recognition from audiences and critics alike. Brilliant skill, a distinctive profile, and energetic inspiration characterize his music. This is clearly audible on his new solo CD, "SOLO STANDARDS."
Ignatzek, born in 1954, can be heard as a bandleader on 65 recordings, including more than 300 of his compositions. This certainly makes him one of the most prolific jazz pianists of his generation. He has also made a name for himself in other European countries through numerous concerts and TV productions. In internationally changing formations he played with Joe Henderson, Claudio Roditi, Dave Liebman, Bobby Watson, Billy Hart, Jean-Louis Rassinfosse, Dieter Ilg, Susanne Menzel, Florian Poser.
Concerts have taken him to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bern, Bilbao, Brussels, Cork, Genoa, Istanbul, London, Mallorca, Marciac, Rome, Krakow, Prague, Paris, Sibiu, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Oslo, Stockholm, Vienna, Zagreb, Zurich, and many more. In 1991, he was awarded the "Lower Saxony Artists' Scholarship" for his creative achievements.
Klaus Ignatzek was a lecturer in jazz piano and music theory at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg from 1984 to 2020. His many years of diverse teaching experience are also documented in three jazz textbooks he has authored.
Now Ignatzek has released another solo recording. In contrast to his 2018 solo recording “Personally”, which consists exclusively of his own compositions Klaus Ignatzek presents well-known songs from the “American Songbook” on his latest solo CD “Standards”, including: G. Gershwin, C. Porter, C. Corea, AC Jobim.
In addition to his virtuosity, he succeeds once again to present his own perspective and interpretations of the standards through his complex harmonic, melodic and rhythmic understanding.
01 In Your Own Street Way
02 Love For Sale
03 Stella By Starlight
04 All The Things You Are
05 Embraceable You
06 It Could Happen To You
Windows 07
08 How Deep Is the Ocean
09 Sad
10 I Love You
11/XNUMX/XNUMX Laura
12 Have You Met Miss Jones
