Alexandra Lehmler Quintett: DIE WELT VON UNTEN GESEHEN

Alexandra Lehmler - Saxophone/Bass Clarinet; Bruno Böhmer - Piano/Fender Rhodes; Matthias Debus - Double Bass; Farouk Gomati - Percussion; Max Mahlert - Drums

Viewed from Below

The album "Die Welt von unten gesehen" (Viewed from Below) by the Alexandra Lehmler Quintet (ALQ) showcases the strength and independence of the emerging generation in Europe's jazz scene. Over its eight years of existence, the ALQ has consistently pursued the vision of a European jazz inspired by world music. These influences, evident in songs like "Paris Triste" or "Debout!", as well as in the title track "Die Welt von unten gesehen", are skillfully integrated into the quintet's music, thanks in part to percussionist Farouk Gomati and pianist Bruno Böhmer. With this refreshingly unique and remarkably mature recording, the quintet demonstrates a nuanced approach that pays homage to jazz tradition while simultaneously pushing its boundaries, occasionally catapulting jazz into the 21st century with the use of effects pedals and ushering listeners into a new era. The ALQ has undeniably carved out its own sonic world, shaped by experiences during a stay in Paris, encounters with world music, or simply the passage of life.

With their debut, the ALQ was nominated for the "Vierteljahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik" (Quarterly Award of the German Record Critics) in 1/07. Alexandra Lehmler, a graduate of the Musikhochschule Mannheim, furthered her studies with Bernd Konrad in Stuttgart and at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris. Bruno Böhmer, whose trio also released an album on NEUKLANG, is one of the outstanding pianists in German Latin jazz despite his young age. Matthias Debus is a sought-after bassist in both jazz and rock/pop genres, having performed with artists such as Hubert Winter and Jürgen Neudert. Drummer Max Mahlert has toured Poland, England, France, and Korea. Born in Colombia, Farouk Gomati has been studying Latin percussion at the Musikhochschule Mannheim since 2004 and has performed with Nils Gessinger and shared the stage with artists like Joe Gallardo.

For more information, visit www.a-l-q.de.

Press:

"Modern Jazz at its best" - Jazzinstitut Darmstadt

"This is jazz that appeals to listeners today without blinkers" - Jazztext

"Alexandra Lehmler has learned from the great saxophonists of the past, made it her own, and musically stands with both feet in the present, without standing still." - WDR

"(...) So she has developed her own wonderfully effortless subtle and yet clear signature both as a composer/band leader and as an interpreter of her music." - Frank Möbus

"Viewed from Below opens up new perspectives: a rock rebellion, a friendly cowboy, the sad Paris; Alexandra Lehmler and her band lead through various musical moods with a lot of heart." - Henning Sieverts

"(...) the result is by no means arbitrary. Rather, the (...) pieces convince with surprising harmonic turns, broad dynamic processes, melodic lightness, and rhythmic finesse." - Jazz thing 02/11

"The purely instrumental music was consistently harmonious, sometimes almost a little too smooth, but always dynamic and simultaneously varied. Often, calm, thoughtful sections merged into powerful, driving passages." - Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung 11/10

"With 'Viewed from Below' - leaping over the shadows of modern jazz - the A-L-Q Quintet around saxophonist Alexandra Lehmler earns further success points [...] Many musical shades and colorations come together on a broad and finely graduated, chiseled playing field of jazz music." - monstersandcritics.de 08/09

"In impressively consistent fashion, the combo around saxophonist and bass clarinetist Alexandra Lehmler pursues the vision of a European jazz inspired by world music." - CLARINO 06/09

"With melodic finesse and rhythmically pointed lightness between Latin feel and folkloric hints, the Alexandra Lehmler Quintet sets accents in European jazz." - SONIC 05/09

"Lehmler's vibrant tone on the predominantly bright-sounding saxophone, the smooth lines, and the song-like melodic guidance are unmistakable." - JAZZPODIUM 03/09

"Never annoying, never intrusive, always entertaining and varied, this album - this is how young jazz from Germany can also be a lot of fun for jazz skeptics." - Musikwoche 02/09