During his studies at the Rotterdam Conservatory, alto saxophonist Bart Wirtz won three important jazz awards. After graduating in 2002, he moved to New York for six months and then moved to Amsterdam. He now occupies a prominent place with bands such as Monsieur Dubois, Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra, Young Sinatras and Artvark Saxophone Quartet. In his own quartet he is accompanied by pianist Jasper
… Soffers, bassist Jeroen Vierdag and drummer Joost van Schaik. His playing is an extension of Jackie McLean, Frank Morgan and Art Pepper. Prologue starts quite traditionally, but soon Wirtz shows a funky side with J Minus No, where guitarist Tim Eijmaal has a guest role. The mysterious intro of the title track by Vierdag and Van Schaik leads to a desolate ballad in which Soffers shows a very emotional side. Honque Honque continues in the best Blue Note tradition. Wirtz is not an innovator, but it doesn't have to be, because traditions are there to be maintained. (AD)more
