The Squid's Ear Magazine


Leandre, Joelle: Zurich Concert (Intakt)

A tour-de-force solo concert from the masterful improvising French double bassist Joëlle Léandre, performing at Kunstraum Walcheturm in Zurich in 2022, mostly performed through an astounding bowing exposition, accompanied at times by her worldless vocal improvising, the five parts of this concert evoking passion, power, and a lifetime of profound expression.
 

Price: $17.95


Quantity:

Out of Stock

Quantity in Basket: None

Log In to use our Wish List
Shipping Weight: 4.00 units

Sample The Album:





product information:

Personnel:



Joelle Leandre-double bass, voice


Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.




UPC: 7640120194024

Label: Intakt
Catalog ID: ITK402.2
Squidco Product Code: 33078

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2023
Country: Switzerland
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold 3 Panels w/ booklet
Recorded live at Kunstraum Walcheturm, in Zurich, Switcherland, on March 17th, 2022, by Willy Strehler.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Joelle Leandre is a living legend. It is almost impossible to list all the international greats of free music with whom Leandre has played in her decades-long career. With Zurich Concert, the magician and rebel on the double bass presents an impressive solo statement. "It is no coincidence that she once described the bass as her bedrock, her spinal column and the place where she stores her memories. Joelle Leandre does not play music, she lives it... (she) spins a continuous thread of sound which never snaps. On the contrary, she keeps spinning it onwards. We hear both high energy and quiet tenderness, but the transitions are always seamless and organic. In her bass playing and with her voice. No stopping, no pause within the individual improvisations. Onwards, ever onwards. A true magician of sound."-Nina Polaschegg, liner notes



"A solo concert by the double bassist Joëlle Léandre is a happening, an event of the highest order. She is very much like a writer or poet who starts with a blank sheet of paper, bringing to life characters and places seemingly drawn from thin air. Of course, like the writer, Léandre's alchemy is born out of years of study, practice, and performance. From her roots in the south of France, she studied classical music before training and performing in the USA. She found her voice in contemporary music and the influence of John Cage and Giacinto Scelsi. Her peers became improvising musicians such as Derek Bailey, Barre Phillips, Anthony Braxton, Peter Kowald, and of course Irene Schweizer and Maggie Nicols in the trio Les Diaboliques. More recently, she can be heard in the excellent Tiger Trio with Myra Melford and Nicole Mitchell.

This solo performance from March 2022 at Kunstraum Walcheturm is an excellent example of her wealth of talents. The opening bowed energy production of "Zurich Concert 1" creates an arch of colors as vibrating sounds penetrate ones chest. Though the double bass is not a wind instrument, there is an impression Léandre is performing the equivalent of circular breathing throughout the performance. Her monster sound on the double bass has but one compeer, William Parker. Like Parker, Léandre builds indefatigable skyscrapers of sound. "Zurich Concert 2, 4, and 5" find her wordless vocal accompaniment. The final track is a tour de force in which the bassist combines an arco attack with a resonant tapping to create a complete orotund sound, one which could easily have been created in a volcano's caldera. It is that powerful."-Mark Corroto, All About Jazz

intak

This album has been reviewed on our magazine:

The Squid
The Squid's Ear!

Artist Biographies

"Joëlle Léandre is a famous French Bassist and is known for her collaborations with other musicians in the field of improvised music. Born in France on September 12th, 1951, she made her music debut in 1984 with Les Douze Sons. Her childhood was filled with music, and she was particularly interested in the piano during her early years. In her later years, she developed an interest in double bass, which won her many honors and scholarships during her education. Her double bass teacher Pierre Delescluse encouraged her to apply to the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris, where she was formally trained and noticed for her talent in the bass. Her outstanding musicianship took her to the United States and to the Centre for Creative and Performing Arts in Buffalo through a scholarship. In the United States, she expanded her network and met some of the best composers, such as John Cage, Giacinto Scelsi, and Morton Feldman. Among them, John Cage greatly influenced her music and compositions. Her time in the United States also enabled her to experience downtown New York music, which was another significant influence that led to her continued involvement in the field of improvised music.

Some of her notable collaborations in the field of contemporary music are with Pierre Boulez, Merce Cunningham, John Cage, and Giacinto Scelsi. Among them, John Cage and Giacinto Scelsi were the biggest influences in her life and music. In an interview, Joëlle Léandre said that John Cage was her spiritual father and changed her perception of sound and music. In another interview, she tells how Giacinto Scelsi allowed her to discover her own music and how his music transported her into a new world of improved consciousness. In the field of jazz music, she collaborated with Derek Bailey, William Parker, and Sebi Tramontana. Her music was owned and distributed by different music labels, including FMP, Leo, RougueArt, and Red Toucan. Some memorable songs and albums she released throughout the years include Instant Replay, Les Douze sons, Trios, Sweet Zee, Frerebet, Joelle et Tetsu, Philippe Fenelon, Voyages, etc. Some of the recent releases include Can You Hear Me and Unleashed. She has also performed live at the Tampere Jazz Festival twice, where popular international artists compete with each other.

Joëlle Léandre is also the member of European Women's Improvising Group (EWIG). The group evolved from the Feminist Improvising Group, and Joëlle Léandre joined the group in 1983. In the early 1900s, she co-founded Les Diaboliques with Irene Schweizer and Maggie Nicols, who were her long-time musician friends. Besides that, she also teaches several classes in prestigious universities about contemporary and improvised music. She has lived in France, Germany, and U.S during her lifetime, teaching at academic institutions in the religions and playing concerts. In 2002, she was invited to Canada as a visiting professor for music and composition."

-Joelle Leandre Website (https://www.joelle-leandre.com/biography/2/)
1/27/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Zurich Concert 1 6:40

2. Zurich Concert 2 6:10

3. Zurich Concert 3 7:10

4. Zurich Concert 4 8:26

5. Zurich Concert 5 13:00

Related Categories of Interest:


Intakt
Improvised Music
Free Improvisation
Jazz
Stringed Instruments
Unusual Vocal Forms
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Solo Artist Recordings
Staff Picks & Recommended Items
New in Improvised Music
Last Copy of Items that will not be restocked...

Search for other titles on the label:
Intakt.


Recommended & Related Releases:
Other Recommended Releases:
Leandre, Joelle / Nuria Andorra
BLA BLA BLA duo
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
A brooding meeting between free improvising double bassist Joëlle Léandre and Catalonian drummer/percussionist Nuria Andorra (Icarus Ensemble, Barcelona 216, Patchwork Ensemble), two generations of improvisers finding common ground through a simmering boil of intelligent improvisation, imaginative technical skill and passionately assertive playing.
Various Artists (Guy / Leandre / Mazur / Nilssen-Love / Kaucic / Fernandez / Gustafsson / Vandermark / Trzaska / Brotzmann / Ste Swell / Holmlander / Homburger)
Not Two... But Twenty [5 CDs in Wooden Box]
(Not Two)
Not Two Records celebrates their 20th Anniversary with a festival in Wlen, Poland, inviting 13 of the finest European & US improvisers--Guy, Leandre, Mazur, Nilssen-Love, Kaucic, Fernandez, Gustafsson, Vandermark, Trzaska, Brotzmann, Swell, Holmlander, & Homburg--performing in configurations from duo to quintet, released in a limited 5-CD wooden box set.
Leandre, Joelle
Strings Garden [3 CDs]
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
Three concerts from 2016 & 2017 of different string duos anchored by Leandre's double bass, starting at rue Victor Masse 75009 in Paris in a double bass duo with Bernard Santacruz; then a bass and cello duo at Le Triton Les Lilas, France with Gaspar Claus; and completing the set, a performances at DZIK, in Warszaw, Poland with violinist and violist Theo Ceccaldi.
Leandre, Joelle / Marc Ducret
Chez Helene
(Ayler Records)
Jean-Marc Foussat recorded the French improvising duo of electric guitairst Marc Ducret and double bassist Joelle Leandre at 19PaulFort in May, 2018, the title drawn from a poem by Edgar Allen Poe, as the two trade acoustic and electric string approaches in a sophisticated dialog of exceptional technique and inventive approaches; superb.
Leandre, Joelle
No Comment
(Fou Records)
Two exemplary solo sets from the truly distinctive and commanding French double bassist and vocalist Joelle Leandres recorded at Vancouver Jazz Festival, Western Front, Vancouver, Canada, in June 1995 and at The Ibleo Jazz Festival in Ragusa, Italy in October, 1994.
Leandre, Joelle
Solo: Conversations With Franck Medioni [BOOK + CD + DVD]
(Kadima Triptych)
Frank Medioni interviewed bassist Joelle Leandre over two years at her home in Paris to create the narrative of this book; also included is a CD and DVD of two solo performances in Piednu and Guelph.
Leandre, Joelle / Phillip Greenlief
That Overt Desire of Object
(Relative Pitch)
Relative Pitch Records debuts with the excellent duo of bassist Joelle Leandre and Bay Area woodwind improviser Phil Greenlief in 11 variations for contrabass and woodwinds.
Leandre, Joelle, Quentin Sirjacq
Out of Nowhere
(Ambiances Magnetiques)
An engaging encounter between bassist Leandre and pianist Sirjacq, delicate yet intense interaction from two sophisticated & listening players from different generations.



Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought:
Mitchell, Matt
Oblong Aplomb [2 CDs]
(Out Of Your Head Records)
Expanding on pianist/composer Matt Mitchell's 2013 duo album Fiction with Ches Smith is this double-duo release over 2 CDs, one CD with Smith performing on drums, gongs, percussion, vibraphone, glockenspiel, tam-tam & timpani, and one CD with drummer/percussionist Kate Gentile, performing Mitchell's fascinatingly convoluted works that integrate composition with improvisation.
Illegal Crowns
Unclosing
(Out Of Your Head Records)
The 3rd stellar album of modern jazz recorded in the studio after a five-city tour from the quartet of Tomas Fujiwara on drums, Taylor Ho Bynum on cornet & flugelhorn, Mary Halvorson on guitar and Benoit Delbecq on piano, performing three compositions each from Halvorson, Fujiwara and Delbeq, illustrating their distinctive approach to creative improvisation.
Courvoisier, Sylvie / Cory Smythe
The Rite of Spring - Spectre d'un songe
(Pyroclastic Records)
Having presented a solo version of Stravinksy's The Rite of Spring at Opera Bastille in Paris with avant-flamenco dancer Israel Galván, Courvoisier developed a new work for two pianos performed with Cory Smythe, merging composition & improvisation as they invoke impressions of The Rite in tandem with Stravinksy-like reharmonizations of previous Courvoisier works.
Threadgill, Henry Ensemble
The Other One
(Pi Recordings)
Composed by Henry Threadgill based on his observations of the exodus of people from New York City during the Covid pandemic and the debris left behind, this work titled "Valence" and dedicated to percussionist Milford Graves, is a chamber jazz piece in three movements was taken from recordings at Roulette of the second of two performances entitled "One" and "The Other One".
Howard, Noah Quartet To
At Judson Hall Revisited
(ezz-thetics by Hat Hut Records Ltd)
Saxophonist Noah Howard's move from New Orleans to New York City brought him into the circle of early 60's free jazz players including Albert Ayler, joining Sun Ra's Arkestra, and performing at Slug's Saloon; this release reissues two ESP albums, his working band's 1966 Quartet album, and the extended and interestingly orchestrated sextet album, At Judson Hall.
New York Art Quartet
Revisited
(ezz-thetics by Hat Hut Records Ltd)
Evolving after a gig in 1963, saxophonist John Tchicai and trombonist Roswell Rudd developed the NYAQ from loft sessions, adding the creative drumming of Milford Graves and bassist Lewis Worrell; ESP was so impressed that they recorded their 1st 1965 album with an Amira Baraka recitation on one track; Reggie Workman then took over the bass chair for their subsequent Mohawk album on the Fontana label.
Flame, The (Robert Mitchell / Neil Charles / Mark Sanders)
Towards The Flame, Vol. 1 [VINYL CLEAR]
(577 Records)
Their first time playing together as a trio despite many permutations in various projects over the years, the trio of Robert Mitchell (F-IRE Collective) on piano & percussion, Neil Charles on double bass and remarkably collaborative drummer Mark Sanders are heard in this 2022 concert at London's Cafe OTO for two extended, free and very informed collective improvisations.
Frith, Fred And Ensemble Musiques Nouvelles
Something About This Landscape For Ensemble [VINYL]
(Sub Rosa)
Commissioned by and recorded during the 2018 Ars Musical Festival, Fred Frith composed this work while under the inspiration of his residency at Lou Harrison's straw-bale house in the desert at Joshua Tree, CA, then performed with the Ensemble Musiques Nouvelles, along with two very unique improvisations, one recorded during the dress rehearsal and then again in concert.
Taborn, Craig / Joelle Leandre / Mat Maneri
hEARoes
(RogueArt)
The meeting of three masterful string and keyboard players--Craig Taborn on piano, Joelle Leandre on double bass and Mat Maneri on viola--a Transatlantic chamber jazz trio recording live at Theatre Antoine Vitez in Ivry-sur Seine, France in 2022 for seven sublime conversations of innovative and imaginative exchanges; absolutely magnificent!
Thomas, Pat / Chris Sharkey / Luke Reddin-Williams
Know : Delirium Atom Paths
(577 Records)
Energetic, authoritative and unpredictable, this 2020 concert at Hyde Park Book club, in Leeds, UK from the collective free improv trio of Pat Thomas on keyboards, Chris Sharkey on electric guitar and Luke Reddin on Williams on drums, burns through an extended and far-ranging set of sonic environments and seriously exhilarating straight-on playing.
Perelman, Ivo / Ray Anderson / Joe Morris / Reggie Nicholson
Molten Gold [2 CDs]
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
Recording with legendary jazz musicians, trombonist Ray Anderson, drummer Reggie Nicholson and double bassist Joe Morris, tenor saxophonist Ivo Perelman's quartet album brings the depth of experience and Ivo Perelman's unstoppable creative drive to these four extended and masterful improvisations, impeccably captured at Brooklyn's ParkWest Studio by Jim Clouse.
Kimura, Izumi / Artur Majewski / Barry Guy / Ramon Lopez
Kind Of Shadow
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
Complementing their 2022 release Kind Of Light, recorded the same day at Agnieszka Osiecka Polish Radio Concert Hall in Warsaw in 2021 after their performance at the Ad Libitum Festival, the quartet of Izumi Kimura on piano, Artur Majewski on trumpet & electronics, Barry Guy on bass and Ramon Lopez on drums & percussion release this magnificent 11-part improvisation.
Lopez Trio (Brandon Lopez / Steve Baczkowski / Gerald Cleaver)
Matanzas
(Relative Pitch)
"Matanzas" translates to "Killings", an apt description of this fiercely dark and propulsive free improv album from the NY trio led by bassist Brandon Lopez with saxophonist Steve Baczkowski and drummer/percussionist Gerald Cleaver, drawing unexpected and often malevolent sound from their instruments, particularly on the extended "Dithyramb, Sodomy, Salt".
Svasek, Marianne
Marwa
(thanatosis produktion)
A beautiful and contemplative performance of "Raga Marwa", a a hexatonic Indian raga and the eponymous raga of the "Marva thaat", peformed by Dutch-Czech master vocalist Marianne Svašek, and recorded in Stockholm, with Svašek and Swedish bass player Vilhelm Bromander both performing on the tanpura, a long-necked plucked string instrument used to create a sonic canvas behind the raga.
Rupp / Brand
Myotis Myotis
(Creative Sources)
Each track in this beautiful pairing of strings through cello and electric guitar is named after nature, the title referencing a brown-eared bat, as the Berlin duo of guitarist Olaf Rupp and cellist Ulrike Brand intertwine in an unhurried series of dialog that prioritize natural fluidity, reflecting the confidence that nearly ten years working together has imbued to their improvisations.
Rodrigues / Rodrigues / Torres / Serries
Brecht
(Creative Sources)
Referring to the city Brecht in Belgium, this concert at the Kapel Oude Klooster took place during a tour by the Lisbon free improvising trio of Ernesto Rodrigues on viola, Guilherme Rodrigues on cello and Nuno Torres on alto saxophone, joined by Dirk Serries on archtop guitar (New Wave of Jazz, Vidna Obama) for this impressively interactive 3-part improvisation.
Dunmall, Paul / Liam Noble / John Edwards / Mark Sanders
One Moment
(FMR)
Some of the finest London and Birmingham improvisers, the free improvising quartet of saxophonist Paul Dunmall with pianist Liam Noble, drummer Mark Sanders and bassist John Edwards, continue their work together with this exceptional live performance at the Eastside Jazz Club, Birmingham Conservatoire in an extended, far-ranging and engaging collective concert.
King Ubu Orchestru 2021
Roi
(FMR)
Originally formed in 1985, this free improv ensemble continues in a new rendition of the Örchestrü, with original members Mark Charig (cornet), Paul Lytton (percussion), Alfred Zimmerlin (cello) and Phillipp Wachsmann (violin) joined by new members including Axel Dorner (trumpet), Phil Minton (voice), and Melvyn Poore (tuba), for two exceptional examples of advanced collective and cooperative improvisation.



The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

© 2002-, Squidco LLC