Dieter Ilg, a German double bass player, recorded this beautiful album with alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano in 2005.
Mariano was a saxophonist (mainly alto sax) who had an interesting career as a soloist as well as working with great musicians like Charles Mingus (remember Goodbye Pork Pie Hat?), Stan Kenton and Eberhard Weber.
This album, ‘Due’, features Mariano and Ilg, a performer who has experimented in his career between the languages of classical music and jazz. Both mature, they play simply and deeply with the different pieces, some composed by them, others jazz standards.
I find it interesting to listen to Mariano’s sound, language and improvisation, which is perceived as comfortable in this complex bipolar format. Without stridency or virtuosity, both convey the great pleasure of approaching the music, saying what needs to be said and being silent when necessary. Baritone saxophonists should take note of the many ‘walking bass’ passages and try to pay attention to their articulation.
For all, an example of how music can express itself with beauty, sometimes in seemingly simple ways.
Listen quietly, actively.