Uli Lenz
| Uli Lenz | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1955 |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1980 - present |
| Labels | Tutu-Records, Arkadia Jazz |
| Website | UliLenz.com |
Uli Lenz (b. March 10, 1955) is a German composer, pianist, and producer creating music in the modern jazz genre.
Background
Born in Frankfurt am Main, he began taking piano lessons at the age of four. In the seventies he studied music composition for classical Piano and Cello at Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium in Frankfurt/Main and played jazz at bars and strip joints.
In the '80s Lenz toured thru France, Spain, Italy and Israel as accompanist of well known saxophonists. In Berlin he took in the club scene and performed solo at the JazzFest Berlin in 1986. Also in 1986, he toured Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean as solo pianist. In 1987, he took in the New Yorker club scene.
In 1988, Lenz recorded Live at Sweet Basil with bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Joe Chambers. In 1989, he performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival with bassist Guenter Lenz and drummer Allen Blairman
In the '90s, Lenz worked with Steve Grossman and Abbey Lincoln. He spent the '90s as a mainstay on the festival circuit, playing numerous gigs all over the world. He also recorded with a variety of collaborators: saxophonist Johannes Barthelmes (1992's Konzert der Verlorenen Söhne and 1993's Trane's Tree), vocalist Patricia Nomakosazana Dhlamini (1993's Trouble in Paradise), and bassist Ed Schuller and drummer Victor Jones (1997's Echoes of Mandela), as well as solo (1995's Love Channel). In 1997, Lenz formed a trio featuring bassist Pepe Berns and drummer Thomas Alkier, who would accompany him through his European appearances. In 1999, Lenz signed with New York's Arkadia Jazz label and recorded an album with bassist Ira Coleman (musician) and drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez. Featuring guest spots from saxophonist TK Blue, Rainmaker's Dream was released in 2001 to high praise from the U.S. jazz community.
Lenz continued recording duets with Nomakosazana and trio jazz with Ed Schuller and John Betsch. In 2005 he began working and recording duets with French saxohonist François Jeanneau. With duo partner Jeanneau he toured numerous countries including India and Pakistan. In 2007, Lenz founded the 105 Jazz with bassist Gerhard Kubach and drummer Zam Johnson. In 2010 he founded a performing and recording duo with bassist Ed Schuller. At present, Lenz continues performing with François Jeanneau, Ed Schuller, 105 Jazz and as solo pianist. He is also touring on behalf of the German Auswaertige Amt, the German Goethe Institut and the French Alliance Française.
Discography
- Midnight Candy, 1986, Enja 5009
- Live at Sweet Basil, 1989, Enja 6008, with Cecil McBee (b), Joe Chambers (d)
- Life at the Montreux Music Festival, 1991, B&W 005/006, with Günter Lenz (b), Allen Blairman (d)
- Konzert der verlorenen Söhne, 1992, Konnex 5035, with Johannes Barthelmes (ts, ss)
- Trane's Tree, 1993, Konnex 5057, with Johannes Barthelmes (ts); Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik 1994
- Trouble in Paradise, 1993, Tutu 888144, with Nomakosazana (v)
- Love Channel, 1995, Bellaphon 45100
- Echoes of Mandela, 1997, Tutu 888180, with Ed Schuller (b), Victor Jones (d)
- Rainmaker's Dance, 2001, Arkadia Jazz 71031, with Ira Coleman (b), Horatio "El Negro" Hernandez (d), T. K. Blue (as)
- Tenderness - The Art of the Duo, 2004, Tutu 888198, with Nomakosazana (v)
- Good-bye Venus, 2007, Tutu 888218, with Ed Schuller (b), John Betsch (d)
- Walking in the Wind, 2008, Tutu 888226, with François Jeanneau (s)
- Is there a life after Bradley’s ?, 2011, Tutu 888238, with Ed Schuller (b)
- Une Fille pop, 2011, Vila Mariana, with Emmanuel Tugny and the Lady Guaiba's Swing Band
Songbooks
- M. Kunzler Jazzlexikon Bd. 1 Reinbek 2002