Reviews

Excerpts from reviews of concerts and CDs:

“Dabei wurde das Trio dem Ziel, ... eine Geisteshaltung auszudrücken, voll gerecht. Zu verdanken war das nicht nur den melodischen, abwechslungsreichen Stücken, die einmal mehr von Petzolds Vielschichtigkeit und kompositorischer Originalität zeugten... Gitarrist Thiemo Kirberg und Nils Imhorst am Kontrabass spielten selbstvergessen und zugleich hochkonzentriert, dabei technisch blitzsauber und perfekt aufeinander abgestimmt. Der Komponist selbsst profilierte sich mühelos auch als virtuoser Sopran- und Tenorsaxophonist und am Cello.” (Kölnische Rundschau)

“Mit `Kompositionen á la chef´ beschäftigte sich die Matthias Petzold Working Band auf der Studiobühne im Loft ... Und dass diese durchdachten Kompositionen ganz schöne lebendige Musik werden können, diesen Beweis führte die Working Band an diesem Abend. Bassist Nils Imhorst, Schlagzeuger Roland Höppner und Promi-Percussionist Roand Peil bildeten eine trefflich eingespielte Groove-Abteilung, locker auch im 5/8, 6/8-Geplänkel der sprudelnden “Watermusic”... Im zweiten Set stellte die Band Sängerin Ariane Baumgartner vor, eine Allroundmusikerin mit einer satten, sonoren Stimme, eine Improvisatorin der Post-Jarreau-Generation und deshalb auch eine Botschafterin für Anflüge anspruchsvoller Popmusik. Das Publikum forderte begeistert Zugabe.”
(“Kölnische Rundschau” über die Working Band )

“Against all expectations, the music was not quiet and meditative, a light swing flowed through the hall, when the trio began to play... A multicoloured spectrum, in which the musicians never lost the relation to the mainstream of jazz.”
(”Kölnische Rundschau” about the ”Franziskusinventionen”)

“The `Working Band`of the saxophone and cello player Matthias Petzold played this kind of funk music in a spirited and convincing manner... Powerful pieces like `Dragon City`or lyrical ones like `Summertime`, a song heard a thousand times, but presented here in a new and surprising manner, show a lot of craftmanship and sensibility and a band, that plays really together.” (“Jazzpodium” about the CD “Elements”)

“The saxophone player and composer Matthias Petzold has a fine talent to put together funky grooves. With his “Working Band”, which consists of some of the finest musicians of the rhenanian Jazz szene, Petzold serves on the debut-CD of his seven-piece band modern Jazz-compositions, that are marked by beautiyful melodic lines and inspired soloists, that find their ways starting with the relaxed grooves of the rhythm section.” (“Feedback” about the CD “Elements” )

”There´s a lot of variety on the CD - but throughout it has a light , summerly swinging mood, that makes the CD a perfect whole.” (“Brigitte” about the CD “Elements”)

“Matthias Petzold has become a magnet for friends of challenging music and fine compositions. After all seats were occupied, the audience had to get closer together... And he held his promise. The six-piece band played a music, that went immediately both to feet without missing the head... “ (“Kölnische Rundschau” about the Working Band)

“A music that overcomes borders - “working Band” with a virtuose performance”
... The audience heard a music, that fit in none of the common jazz styles... Ptzold´s concept, to create a synthesis of world music that is also entertaining may threaten jazz purists. But for an open-minded audience it breaks the border between serious music and entertaininment.” (“Kölner Stadtanzeiger” about the Working Band)

“With his work as a composer the young saxophone player made a reputation in the german jazz scene. His third project “Pangäa” can be supposed very much to continue his success. Multiple and with a lot of facets, “Pangäa” leads the listener to fascinating and exciting places. However, in spite of it´s depths and it´s wide influences, the music never gets ponderous. With every note “Pangäa” impresses with swinging lightness and joyful musicianship.”
(“Kölnische Rundschau” about the premiere of the Bigband.suite “Pangäa”)

“The music is well-balanced between innovation and tradition, searches in the in the regions of the well-known and discovers fresh and exiting new sounds. What makes it so likeable is the lack of superficial effects  and it´s unconstraint and effortless flow.”
(“Jazzpodium” about the CD “Pangäa”)

“The art of ballad playing was showed extensively  and masterly... and combined with explosive outbreaks and sound collages. The clear structure and expressive power of the compositions was fascinating.”
(“Der Neue Tag”/Weiden about the Matthias Petzold Quartett)

“Wilful and self-confident, Matthias Petzold continues the tradition of modern mainstream jazz... Especially noteworthy is the strong handling of the diversity of moods - from a humorous Don-Quichotesque to a somber Chicago-adaptation. All in all an affectionate and creative CD that is definetly worth listening.”
(“Jazzpodium” about the CD “Ulysses”)

“Petzold shows with his septet a wide stylistic variety. His music integrates folk songs, circus music, African music and pop songs. However, the main element is jazz, which he interprets in a successful synthesis of tradition and modernism.”
(“Das Rohrblatt” about the CD “Ulysses”)

“One has to marvel at the compactness of the septet. If Matthias Petzold succeeds in sustaining his musical concepts, he will soon be in the forefront of German jazz.”
(“Der Jazzfreund” about the CD “Ulysses”)

“The young leader with his clear lines sounds refreshingly different from other players of his age, since he has learned to wait and to leave space in his solos.”
(“Rondo” about the CD “Ulysses”)

“The use of the instruments is very colourful and lively, the parts of the choir are manifold. With this compositions Matthias Petzold was able to create a deep and significant connection between “his” jazz music and the meaning of the psalms.”
(“Kirchenmusiklalische Mitteilungen” Bistum Stuttgart about the CD “Psalmen und Lobgesänge” )

“Indeed, Petzold succeeded in creating an inspired combination of both worlds (that means: jazz music and psalms)... The choir impressed with a beautyful tone and one could feel the engagement and joy of the singers. The jazz-ensemble was brilliant, with reputed musicians like Frank Gratkowski and Jochen Rückert, who contributed a lot to the success of the evening.”
(“Kölner Stadtanzeiger” about the premiere of  “Psalmen und Lobgesänge”)

“The joyful and grooving music can be felt immediately, the contemplative texts are combined with exciting improvisations - a fascinating idea.”
(“Jazzpodium” about the CD “Psalmen und Lobgesänge”)

“The attractive and charming compositions are highly suitable to help the learning saxophone player and to give him a feeling for the different jazz styles. A book, that saxophonists should go for, and that could be useful also for other instrumentalists.”
(“Jazzpodium” about “Scenes from a Sketchbook”, compositions for lectures published by AMA-Verlag)

“This is a wunderful collection of nine grandiose compositions, that pay homage to different jazz greats. Each piece is played first in a demo-version, then as a play-along. The rhythm-section is excellent and Matthias Petzold plays with a full tenor sound and exact phrasing. Highly recommended for all commencing jazz musicians.”
(“Solo” about “Scenes from a Sketchbook”, compositions for lectures published by AMA-Verlag)

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