RODER & GRIENER

A good rhythm section is the foundation of any great band, providing not just the beat and feel, but also shaping the music in numerous ways. Jan Roder and Michael Griener have epitomized this for over thirty years, and now, for the first time, their extensive collaboration is comprehensively showcased. This compilation offers an overview of their joint work from its inception.

Roder and Griener’s partnership had a somewhat bumpy start at a jam session in Hannover in the early nineties. However, they soon found their groove, playing in various bands together before relocating to Berlin in 1994 and 1995. Their flexibility and originality quickly made them one of the most sought-after rhythm sections at the crossroads of jazz, avant-garde, and free improvisation. They played a significant role in shaping what is now recognized as the Berlin jazz sound at the turn of the millennium.

This compilation features recordings from a variety of sources, including concert recordings, both released and unreleased studio sessions, and even private recordings. Alex Huber of SonarRec meticulously restored these recordings, making them listenable and preserving the essence of each performance.

The first CD revisits their early days in the 1990s, offering a glimpse into their initial projects and collaborations. The second CD highlights more recent projects from 2020 to the present, with a particular focus on a week in November 2021 at the now-defunct Berlin club Au Tops Pohl. During this period, they performed nightly in two different formations, resulting in the double LP “Monk’s Casino” and the CD “Wald” with Taiko Saito, excerpts of which are included in this compilation.

While these two CDs provide a substantial overview, they do not encompass the entirety of Roder and Griener’s work. Some important recordings have not survived, and the wild period of the 90s in Berlin is not well-documented. Additionally, some of their music with other groups is already available on several CDs, and it is impossible to cover all their collaborators on just two CDs. Despite these limitations, this collection offers valuable insight into their musical journey and stands as a testament to the Berlin (and beyond) jazz scene from the early 90s to today.