All Ears

Free music, full of furious improvisations, yet eminently listenable - the speciality of

international sextet All Ears. Unusual music, but once you've heard it you'll immediately

recognize it again: happy, virtuosic and dogma free.

The leaders, pianist Michiel Braam and tenor saxophonist Frans Vermeerssen, provide

the band with stimulating compositions that fire the musicians to let loose their individual

sound. That ranges from sweet talk to full-on screaming, and everything in between.

Years of experience in the international improvised music scene ensure that the band

members never lose track of the music and keep on searching for catchy sounds and

seductive melodies.

Frank Gratkowski, a welcome guest on the international scene with his own groups,

shows that the alto saxophone has many more possibilities than one may think. Herb

Robertson leads groups with Joey Baron and Bill Frisell, among others. The All Music

Guide writes: 'There's no better free-jazz trumpeter than Robertson.' Drummer Michael

Vatcher and bass player Wilbert de Joode are amongst Amsterdam's most in demand

musicians. They have worked together for years with Michiel Braam, notably in the

successful Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher.

During concerts the musicians are constantly keeping tabs on the music's direction. And

it can go any which way, from old-fashioned swing to a modern, fiercely stomping,

gut-wrenching ballad. That unpredictability turns every All Ears performance into an

exciting, unique event.

Further reading on http://www.fransvermeerssen.com/DreamHC/Pagina4.html