Heavy Tuba & Jon Sass



 00-98 CD Sagenhaft – ATS Records CD-0490 (Austria)

Tracks of this CD are (time of each track between “( )”):
 
1. Zarathustra’s Reincarnation (14,44)
2. Get It On (3,17)
3. Sagenhaft (11,10)
4. Blue Lights (4,58)
5. Handbags And Gladrags (4,06)
6. Helter Skelter (13,37)
7. Livin In Heat (3,50)
8. Ripsey’s Rumble (3,52)
9. Ballade (7,58)

A very strange version of Mike d’Abo’s “Handbags And Gladrags”. The CD was recorded live in October/November/December 1997 during a concert tour. “Handbags And Gladrags” was recorded on October 20 ,1997 and is a bit it the style of the group Chase of Bill Chase, with vocals by Dorretta Carter.

The tracks “Get It On” and “Livin In Heat” are songs written by Bill Chase and because he also recorded “Handbags And Gladrags” on his first album, the records company probably thought that he also wrote “Handbags And Gladrags”, because Bill Chase is mentioned as componist. I’ve mailed to ATS Records and they replied that they were sorry for the misunderstanding.

Founded in 1993, Heavy Tuba is the vision of Heimo Schmid, director of the ensemble. This Austrian based band is enriched with established, as well as the up and coming from the Austrian jazz scene.

The English definition of “Sagenhaft” is “Legendary”, a meaning to which this CD can one day be realized as “Sagenhaft”! This powerhouse band combines the sounds and talents whci helps in bridging the gap to those who haven’t yet heard the tuba in other musical dimensions.

Since 1994 tuba soloist Jon Sass joined together as guest artist to the band bringing an extremely distinctive style and sound. This soulful musician is known to be a true virtuoso on the tuba, thus building a relationship which helped to strenghten the efforts and goals of Heavy Tuba, hence Schmid’s vision.

After recording the first live CD, Heavy Tuba followed with successful tours and soon after in 1997 British vocal great Dorretta Carter joined Heavy Tuba. Three bass tubas, four Euphoniums doubling at times on trombone, as well as a thick rhythm section lends to a perhaps untraditional approach to sound, and having never a boring day on tour helps in unveiling Heavy Tuba’s freshness and vivid enthusiasm here to be heard again live!

Interested in Heavy Tuba & Jon Sass ? Look at: www.heavytuba.com

Interested in buying this CD ? Look at ths website of this independent record company: www.ats-records.de