Review: Last Stop Sehnsucht

jazz corner - February 12, 2020

Susanne Ortner Trio releases thrillingly eclectic new jazz album

(Originally published Link)

Based in New Orleans but originally from Germany, clarinetist/saxophonist/composer Susanne Ortner ventures into a thrillingly eclectic collection of jazz music on Last Stop Sehnsucht, from Brazilian Choro to Venezuelan waltzes to the ragtime of Jelly Roll Morton. Together with her trio - also featuring guitarist Nahum Zdybel and bassist James Singleton - Ortner dives into this material with a devotion to top-drawer musicianship, respect for tradition, and unyielding affection for the roots and stylistic versatility of jazz. This is no academic overview; Ortner and her bandmates perform with as much precision as passion.

On "Gloria," Ortner's clarinet is as pretty as candlelight reflections on a lake. The sounds she creates has the velvety softness of a gentle breeze. There is a reflective, rather uplifting feeling her performance has on the ears. In these cold winter days, the warmth emanating from her clarinet is incredibly soothing. Zdybel's guitar is lovely, sweetly melodic, and Singleton's delicate bass further sculpts the attractiveness of the song.

Throughout the album, the engaging chemistry of the trio develops as the record moves forward. On "Proezas De Solon," Ortner's spirited clarinet picks up steam as her and her fellow musicians drive the tempo forward. Last Stop Sehnsucht is highly recommended, especially for jazz fans who seek a historic and multi-cultural context in their recordings.