Bernstein in Vienna

Legendary drummer Peter Erskine brings together a band consisting of tenor saxophonist Robert Unterkofler, Bertl Mayer on harmonica, violinist Cozy Friedel, guitarist Andreas Varady, Danny Ziemann on bass and musical director Danny Grissett on piano for a tribute to one of America's great composers, Leonard Bernstein, at a concert in Vienna Austria back in October of 2021.

Erskine is a master here, creating irresistible crests for Unterkofler and Mayer's tenor on the hip "I Feel Pretty" while giving a workshop of a solo on the free range "Calls and Hollers" which features the entire front line. Grissett Is in shadowy form on "Cool" and drop dead gorgeous with Unterkofler's soprano sax during the jogger's pulse of "Viennese Summer" while the leader sizzles with Varady on "It's Love". Rhythms that would make a humming V8 engine jealous.