From Bach To Ellington - Live is a fascinating collaboration by Swiss pianist Michael Arbenz and British saxophone master Andy Sheppard. Recorded live at Bird's Eye Jazz Club in Basel (Switzerland) in August 2024, the album is comprised of six extended tracks (just over six minutes to just under ten) - two that were inspired by JS Bach and four that are the duo's arrangements of Duke Ellington's originals. Both artists were (or are) members of the long-standing trio, VEIN, and performed widely across Europe before discovering a new level of interplay and nuance as a duo. Sometimes smooth and melodic and sometimes very high-energy, the album is an excellent showcase for two of Europe's outstanding jazz artists.

Michael Arbenz has released two solo albums (both reviewed on MainlyPiano.com): Reflections of D (2023) and Classicism - A Point of View (2024), and is a classically-trained pianist and self-taught jazz performer. As a composer and arranger, he has worked in a variety of musical contexts that include small groups, big bands and classical orchestras. He is also an esteemed educator and serves as the head of the Institute for Jazz and Folk Music at the University of Applied Sciences in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Andy Sheppard is a long-standing ECM recording artist and one of the UK’s most celebrated jazz figures. He is one of the few soloists to perform in the prominent big bands of Carla Bley, Gil Evans, and George Russell.

From Bach To Ellington - Live begins with my favorite track on the album, Duke Ellington's "Melancholia." It starts out with a graceful piano solo before the soulful sax joins in, keeping it smooth and heartfelt. At a bit over nine minutes, it's an easy-going exploration that allows both artists to take turns in the lead to see where the music takes them - beautifully done! "Psalm" was composed by Arbenz and was inspired by Bach's "Cantata BWV 146." Arbenz demonstrates his piano mastery with lightning-fast runs on the piano keyboard as well as subtle nuances in the music. Sheppard joins him around the mid-point of the piece, adding his own special magic to Arbenz's piano wizardry. "African Flower" is another Ellington original with delicate and very expressive parts for both musicians. Graceful and a bit mysterious, it's another favorite. "Where It Springs Into Being" was inspired by Bach's "Prelude in C" and, aside from some quotes from the original piece, is definitely an update to a prelude that many piano students have studied for generations. Arbenz takes a number of solos in this almost ten minute piece that allow him to go in a variety of directions with the music - some very bold and some more delicate. All of the stops come off near the end before Arbenz and Sheppard play the prelude mostly as written. "Reflections In D" returns to a quieter, more reflective demeanor. Arbenz solos for most of the first half of the track in a smooth and sparkling style that evokes a variety of colorful images. When Sheppard joins in, he keeps it atmospheric and soulful - another very beautiful collaboration! "Warm Valley" is arranged in a wistful, dreamy style that features both artists playing together all the way through, bringing the album to a peaceful close.

From Bach To Ellington - Live is available on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as streaming sites including Spotify and Pandora. This is a very impressive album - be sure to check it out!