Simultaneously mysterious and energetic – trumpeter Gero Hensel opens on “Reminiscence” - an album of moments, memories, and experiences, captured in music. The compositions on “Reminiscence” were penned by Gero Hensel, and are characterized by influences outside of jazz music, revealing influences from classical composers such as Modest Mussorgsky (“Straying Shadows”) or Béla Bartók (“Beyond”). Form, chord structures, and motifs from the world of classical music are employed, processed, defamiliarized, and combined with the aesthetics of jazz. This results in complex and multi-layered compositions that break away from jazz norms “Reminiscence” demonstrates Gero Hensel’s daring, curiosity about and openness to new musical Ideas, but mostly, Gero Hensel reveals the extraordinary central element of his music that runs through the entire album: the sound. With his fellow musicians - Yeahwon Shin (vocals), Vitaly Burtsev (piano), Nils Kugelmann (double bass) and Flurin Mück (drums) are an essential part of it. They are closely associated with the music and the compositions: their multi-faceted playing, their expressive sound, and their musical individuality and openness help to both define and enrich the music.

Gero Hensel

Miles Davis and Chet Baker were the starting points of Gero Hensel’s journey into Jazz - their music and style of playing were a major influence and, above all, their sounds had a huge impact on him. The world of classical music also fascinates him and is a source of inspiration for his playing and compositional style. Taking inspiration from both of these worlds, jazz and classical music, Gero Hensel developed his extraordinary style of composing and playing: his compositions are complex and multi-layered, and his playing is multi-faceted and unique. His music transcends genre boundaries.

Gero Hensel received his Master's degrees in both jazz trumpet and jazz composition in Munich, as well as a Master's degree in musicology and Bachelor's degree in jazz trumpet in Mainz. He is active as a trumpeter throughout Germany, and is part of various ensembles and projects: for example, he has played at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin or recorded for Felix Jaehn in the studio. Concerts and engagements regularly take him abroad, including Japan and South Korea. Gero Hensel also works in the educational field and is, for example, currently a lecturer for trumpet at both the Catholic University of Eichstätt and the Freiburg University of Music. With his Gero Hensel Ensemble he focuses on his own compositions. The recording of this album, “Reminiscence”, was awarded a scholarship prize from the Free State of Bavaria.