Peter Buhr's quartet has a truly exotic occupation: He plays well-known-measured clarinet, Jack fanning vibraphone, Anthony DiBianca accordion and Richie Calitro drums. The repertoire of these  gentlemen covers the classical Swing standards. The musicians present their music in a relaxed way swinging it like only experienced jazz musicians completely bring. Each musician could prove his ability being able in many improvisations, which was honored by the Koengener public with grateful applause.

  The actual surprise of the evening however was the accordion player Anthony DiBianca, who completely replaced a bassist with the left hand. Tony developed a special technology to play the bass lines walking bass on the accordion so that  a fifth man on the bass would not stand on the stage.

  In particular drummer Richie was to be heard repeatedly and serenaded the listeners with his restrained voice, with which he phrased in skillful laid back manner. Duke Ellington’s Satin Doll, which he sang, at the beginning accompanied only by drums and bass (actually accordion), was particularly impressive.  Peter Buhr skillfully chose the program and like a miracle the time passed as in flight.

Translation and excerpts of article below

One of many in German newspapers

Exotic Swing Sound

 The jazz club KOENGEN experienced a relaxing concert with classical Swing music on last Friday. Peter Buhr, brought his friends from the USA. He brought Sarasota Swing, which he maintains there with some veterans of jazz.

Jazzclub Schloss Klongen

 http://www.jazz-club-schlosskoengen.de/konzerte/konzert.asp?id=V041022

Jerry Jerome, who played in Benny Goodman bands and was director of music of NBC in New York, took a swing group into NBC Studios with clarinet, accordion, vibraphone and drums demonstrated to Peter that he could do it also.

With the outstanding jazz accordionist Anthony DiBianca, who plays the bass line with the left hand of the accordion. ..Vibraphonist Jack Fanning an initial member of the Monterey Bay Hot jazz Society and advisor of the supervisors of the Sacramento jazz Jubilees in the jazz scene … Mike Moran [who was replaced by Richie Calitro] did not play as drummer.

Peter Buhr winters in Sarasota, where he plays with his Florida Friends … as the press in Sarasota says - "Sarasota Swings".

 

Evaluation: Website: http://www.edv stange.de
I was enthusiastic - It was a rare concert. The composition of vibraphone, accordion, drums and clarinet, and I felt the invisible fifth man, the bassist. made it fun to listen to Peter Buhr and its Florida friends and I wish that they will give regular concerts.. .The pieces, which Peter Buhr played reminded me of the first time I heard Swing and jazz. It was recordings of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.

Today I am pleased to have the opportunity to experience fine jazz in Koengen -“Erleben” probably is the correct expression for what the three Florida friends brought us. Special for me was the working of vibraphone and accordion and Peter`s small stories in between the pieces.

 

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