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TOBIAS HOFFMANN JAZZ ORCHESTRA

INNUENDO

Mons Records

Tobias Hoffmann, conductor/composer/producer; RHYTHM SECTION: Vikka Wahl, guitar; Viola Hammer, piano/synthesizer; Ivar Roban Krizic, bass; Reinhold Schmölzer, drums/electronics. SAXOPHONES: Florian Trübsbach & Patrick Dunst, alto & soprano saxophone/flute/clarinet; Robert Unterköfler, tenor & soprano saxophone/flute/clarinet; Martin Harms, tenor saxophone/bass clarinet/flute/clarinet; Jonas Brinckmann, baritone saxophone/bass clarinet.  TRUMPETS/FLUGELHORNS: Maximilian Seibert, Sebastian Burneci, Florian Menzel, Gerhard Ornig & Jakob Helling. TROMBONES: Simon Harrer, Daniel Holzleitner, Robert Bachner (trombone & valve trombone) & Johannes Oppel (bass trombone/tuba).

A few years ago, I reviewed an album that featured the Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra called “Conspiracy.”  I was quite impressed with this orchestra’s arrangements and the compositions of Hoffmann. The title track won 3^rd prize at the “Bill Conti Big Band Arranging & Composition Competition” of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers in Los Angeles, California. I recall loving this orchestra and the black and white video they created with dancers Maureen Bator and Borna Babic.

When Tobias Hoffmann reached out to me a few weeks ago from Austria to say he had another project being released and asking if I would listen, of course I said yes.  Once the package arrived by post, I found the same excitement and creativity in his music, and in the arrangements. Hoffmann has composed all eight songs.

In the summer of 2023, the orchestra spent a week in Graz, Austria rehearsing Hoffmann’s music. The participants are made up of students, professionals, and music educators. As I listen to the title tune, I am swept away in the mystery and mood changes that infused this piece of music with drama.  Hoffmann explains that this is a tribute to the rock group “Queen.”  Florian Trübsbach is featured on alto saxophone, playing a solo that’s a thing of beauty.  This tune earned “Best Composition” honors in the large ensemble category at the 47^th Downbeat Student Music Awards. Tobias Hoffmann is still a student himself, studying for his master’s degree in jazz composition and Arrangement with mentor Ed Partyka.

Track #2 called “Summer Solstice features a trombone solo by Simon Harrer. “No Way Back” is introduced by Viola Hammer with a special repetitive line on piano. The horns echo the line, and time signatures are jumbled around challenging my finger snaps.

“I find writing music in odd and often unfamiliar meters both exciting and challenging,” says Hoffman.

On this mixed meter composition, Gerhard Ornig is out-front on trumpet and Viola Hammer executes a pensive, emotional piano solo, slowing the tempo and changing the complexion of the arrangement. They close with “Perseverance” that Hoffman says is the longest composition he has ever written for an orchestra. It spotlights a very jazzy tenor saxophone solo by Robert Unterköfler.  On this classically flavored musical excursion, you will uncover the composition talents of conductor, Tobias Hoffman. and the excellence of his talented jazz orchestra members. This project will be released on September 20, 2024.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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