Nicole Johänntgen “Henry”
Nicole Johänntgen – saxophone
Jon Ramm – trombone
Steven Glenn – sousaphone
Paul Thibodeaux – drums
“Henry” grooves, rumbles, puffs and belts out, inspired by the Jazz music of New Orleans. Zurich-based saxophone player Nicole Johänntgen has been on the bandstand for 22 years, and she puts heart and soul into her playing. Most recently she spent six months in New York City, writing the songs that she subsequently recorded in New Orleans. The lineup includes tuba, trombone, drums, and saxophone.
Seven new compositions, fresh and vivid: New Orleans’ legendary and boisterous “Second Line Drum Grooves” join the pulsing tuba, providing the bass foundation for racy choruses between bone and sax.
Mutual friends introduced Nicole to her new cronies from New Orleans. It was the American saxophone player Arthur Blythe who encouraged her to collaborate with the tuba. (In the nineties, he was noted for his work with tuba, congas, and cello.)
Another source of inspiration came from Nicole’s own family background: When she was still a schoolgirl, her father Heinrich (Henry) Johänntgen used to play the trombone as a wake-up call when it was time to get up. “Henry” renders homage to her family.