To purchase the new CD, contact everythinghankroberts@yahoo.com

With 10 CD’s on the highly-acclaimed Munich based ‘Winter and Winter’ label, Hank Roberts’s latest recording ‘Everything is Alive’ (W&W 910 174-2) is now available in Europe and has a US release date of April 10th, 2012. It will be available at www.hankrobertsmusic.com and in shops that carry CD’s (US distribution is ‘Allegro Music’). Recorded ‘live-to-two track’ by legendary engineer Ron St Germaine at Sear Sound Studios in New York City, it features Hank’s compositions and a quartet of prestigious musician friends: Hank Roberts on cello, Bill Frisell on Guitar, Jerome Harris on acoustic bass guitar, and Kenny Wollesen on drums and percussion.

European Press for Hank’s recent recording, “Everything is Alive”:

Nürnberger Zeitung:  the American cellist [Hank Roberts] dares to present magical musical field tests, which sound as delicate as a moribund musical box or intoxicating emotional like a pop song. Grumpy, but yes, ingenious.“       January 10, 2012

Südkurier: “From the beginning this music opens the horizon. […] Since the 80s Hank Roberts has achieved for his instrument […] a completely new position that he keeps on strengthening. Genre limits are too narrow for him, important is his own fusion of elements, which are brought together in an improvisational way…

Music full of air, lightness and delight in playing, characterized by listening and reacting to each other, sustained by a natural sound and elevating the listener to comforting spheres.”            January 13, 2012

Freejazz-Stef.Blogspot.com (USA): “Roberts’s compositions with their masterful folk-like breath of whimsy come to life…    January 18, 2012

Stuttgarter Zeitung: “… a splendid quartet recording that steps out into the vast field of folk, jazz and chamber music besides all thinkable intermediate regions and sub genres… sound journey develops so coherent and at the same time diversified like a highly concentrated live improvisation.    December 20, 2011

Jazzthing: “…urban folk and sublimed blues, and a bit of vaudeville and collage…  …could hardly be explained.      “February/March 2012

Hank’s album ‘Green’ (featuring touring partners Jim Black and Marc Ducret) won the 2008 German Recording Critics’ Award in the Jazz category.

“There’s a wisdom and patience and catholicity in this record (‘Green’). ‘It’s all one song,’ goes the hip musician’s cliché, but Mr. Roberts walks that walk.” —    Ben Ratliff, NY Times

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About the group:

Cellist Hank Roberts has organized a group of four internationally acclaimed improviser/collaborators, including Jakob Bro on guitar, Luke Bergman on bass, and Kenny Wollesen on drums.

“I am inspired by each of these players. ‘Reflecting on the unique and exceptional expression and artistry that each of them offers makes me excited to expand on the highly diverse sonic, lyrical and rhythmic potential for the group.”  Hank Roberts March 2012

Bassist Luke Bergman, one of Seattle and the Northwest area’s integral creative musicians, has garnered critical acclaim on a national and international level for his work with Heatwarmer, Speak, Thousands, and The Cuong Vu Group.  He’s also involved with several Seattle-area organizations that actively promote a wide range of highly innovative performance and recording work.

Danish guitarist Jakob Bro first came in to international recognition as a member of Paul Motian’s Bebob Band In 2002.  His recent musical collaborations include Paul Motian, Lee Konitz, Bill Frisell, Joe lovano, Tom Harrel and Tomasz Stanko.  He’s received four Danish Music Awards, including best Crossover and best Jazz Album of The Year.

Drummer Kenny Wollesen lives in New York City. He has recorded and toured with

many musicians including Tom Waits, Sean Lennon, Ron Sexsmith, Bill Frisell, Norah Jones, Steven Bernstein and John Zorn. He is a founding member of the New Klezmer Trio and a member of the Sex Mob group. He also performs on popular children’s show ‘The Backyardigans’.

Hank Roberts has created a unique and original voice on the cello through an extensive body of music as a performer, composer and recording artist.

He has performed and recorded throughout the world with a host of celebrated musicians. With 10 CD’s on the Munich based ‘Winter and Winter’ label, his album ‘Green’ (featuring touring partners Jim Black and Marc Ducret) won the 2008 German Recording Critics’ Award in the Jazz category.

“There’s a wisdom and patience and catholicity in this record (‘Green’). ‘It’s all one song,’ goes the hip musician’s

cliché, but Mr. Roberts walks that walk.”

—    Ben Ratliff, NY Times

He also tours and performs regularly with guitarist Bill Frisell’s ‘858 Quartet’ and has appeared on Bill’s Grammy Award winning CD ‘Unspeakable’, Grammy nominated ‘History/Mystery’ and the 2011 Savoy release ‘Sign of Life’.  He recently played with Bill’s 8 piece ensemble at the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan performing music for Allen Ginsberg’s ‘Kaddish’ poem read by Hal Willner and Chloe Webb.

Hank has performed once or a few times with the following:  Gavin Friday, Bono, The Edge, Joel Grey, Larry Mullen Jr, Andy Summers, Antony, Adam Clayton, Sting, John Zorn, Shane McGowen, Flo and Eddie, Pat Metheny, Mike Gibbs, Lydia Lunch, David Sanborn, Zbigniev Sweifert, Mamadou Diabate,  Donna the Buffalo, Julius Hemphil, and Gary Burton.

Press for Hank’s recent recording, “Everything is Alive”:

Nürnberger Zeitung:  the American cellist [Hank Roberts] dares to present magical musical field tests, which sound as delicate as a moribund musical box or intoxicating emotional like a pop song. Grumpy, but yes, ingenious.“       January 10, 2012

Südkurier: “From the beginning this music opens the horizon. […] Since the 80s Hank Roberts has achieved for his instrument […] a completely new position that he keeps on strengthening. Genre limits are too narrow for him, important is his own fusion of elements, which are brought together in an improvisational way…

Music full of air, lightness and delight in playing, characterized by listening and reacting to each other, sustained by a natural sound and elevating the listener to comforting spheres.”            January 13, 2012

Freejazz-Stef.Blogspot.com (USA): “Roberts’s compositions with their masterful folk-like breath of whimsy come to life…    January 18, 2012

Stuttgarter Zeitung: “… a splendid quartet recording that steps out into the vast field of folk, jazz and chamber music besides all thinkable intermediate regions and sub genres… sound journey develops so coherent and at the same time diversified like a highly concentrated live improvisation.    December 20, 2011

Jazzthing: “…urban folk and sublimed blues, and a bit of vaudeville and collage…  …could hardly be explained.      “February/March 2012

He has performed and recorded throughout the world with a host of celebrated musicians. With 10 CD’s on the Munich based ‘Winter and Winter’ label, his album ‘Green’ (featuring touring partners Jim Black and Marc Ducret) won the 2008 German Recording Critics’ Award in the Jazz category.

“There’s a wisdom and patience and catholicity in this record (‘Green’). ‘It’s all one song,’ goes the hip musician’s

cliché, but Mr. Roberts walks that walk.”

—    Ben Ratliff, NY Times

He also tours and performs regularly with guitarist Bill Frisell’s ‘858 Quartet’ and has appeared on Bill’s Grammy Award winning CD ‘Unspeakable’, Grammy nominated ‘History/Mystery’ and the 2011 Savoy release ‘Sign of Life’.  He recently played with Bill’s 8 piece ensemble at the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan performing music for Allen Ginsberg’s ‘Kaddish’ poem read by Hal Willner and Chloe Webb.

Hank has performed once, a few times or many times with the following:  Gavin Friday, Bono, The Edge, Joel Grey, Larry Mullen Jr,  Michelle Berry, Andy Summers, Antony, Adam Clayton, Sting, Anne Marie Cummings, John Zorn, Shane McGowen, Flo and Eddie, Pat Metheny, Mike Gibbs, Lydia Lunch, David Sanborn, Zbigniev Sweifert, Mamadou Diabate,  Donna the Buffalo, Julius Hemphil, and Gary Burton, Donna the Buffalo, Ti Ti Chickapea, and Ethan Iverson and Dave King from The Bad Plus.

New York Times review of ‘Green’  By BEN RATLIFFPublished: June 8, 2008 

Hank Roberts  ’Green’

“the best moments shut down the distances among folk and rock and classical and a more ancient kind of song…

There’s a wisdom and patience and catholicity in this record. “It’s all one song,” goes the hip musician’s cliché, but Mr. Roberts walks that walk”.

for full review, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/arts/music/08play.html?scp=1&sq=hank+roberts+green&st=nyt

 ’All About Jazz’ review of ‘Green’

All About Jazz Review

By Mark F. Turner 

“outstanding release… environmental aura of expansive open plains, ruralesque backdrops, and majestic mountainscapes within a distinct, rustic and avant-garde music setting…

world class cellist who could easily excel in any music genre… 

From pastoral and somber moods to a 1960s LSD-laced trip on one track, the recording’s a blend of both the familiar and strange…

all pleasantly unpredictable, creating a listening environment that’s memorable and mysterious…

Roberts is in total command of his cello, able to produce multiple voicings— plucking, strumming, tapping and beautiful bowing. He also provides earthy vocal on a couple of tunes; such as “Trees,” a hard rocking piece…

Creativity is at the recording’s center and reaches its apex on “Lenape Suite”…

Lenape Suite…a sonic voyage that includes an aboriginal-like motif and lyrics, electronics colorization and a frenzied (yet awe inspiring) trio performance that’s unsettling yet hypnotic…

Green is uniquely captivating, haunting yet warmly assuasive and, true to Roberts’ form, not easily categorized. A wondrous journey for those who appreciate music of, literally, a different shade of green. 

 

For full review, go to: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?=29801