Esther Kaiser & Axel Fischbacher - Moving Times (2025)

There are good reasons why the names of all those involved in this album are listed as equal partners. "Moving Times" is the result of real teamwork and is the first production of a newly formed group in which everyone acts on an equal footing. This is not self-evident, because singer Esther Kaiser and guitarist Axel Fischbacher represent two established big names in the German jazz scene, who have been independently leading their own bands for many years and have released a large number of their own albums. The two belong to different generations while bassist Genevieve O’Driscoll and drummer/vibraphonist Michael Knippschild represent another one. That means three generations, two women and two men, and it fits as if there were nothing more normal in the world.

Esther Kaiser and Axel Fischbacher, who started the group, confirmed that this is exactly how it feels. "There is a common mindset in the band," Fischbacher said. Kaiser added: "We function as a quartet in which each member has an equal standing, even though Axel and I initially had the idea." Fischbacher, who has already played in countless, very different ensemble constructs, put it in a nutshell: "It is something special that from such a constellation, in which no one has the upper hand, something artistically so uniform arises and such a result is achieved." In fact, "Moving Times" sounds as if it was created from a single mold. From the start, you can feel a fresh, positive spirit, which runs through the multitude of different compositions (including two revitalized jazz standards) to the final duet of Fischbacher and Kaiser.

All four contributed to the song repertoire. A larger part comes from the group's most experienced songwriters and composers, Fischbacher and Kaiser. However, the arrangements were largely made collectively. An intensive concert and work phase shortly before the studio date contributed to this. "It was important to us that the jam factor was not lost. We wanted a good middle ground between arrangement and spontaneity, i.e., fluent between what was discussed and what just happens,” as Fischbacher said. That is not always easy to transfer to the studio. "There is always a residual risk, but it functioned perfectly in this case." All pieces have a coherent shape, and nothing has been trimmed specifically for the recording situation. The two also emphasized that there was no need for lukewarm compromises in any way. And this despite the fact that all four are equally responsible for the production.

The musical starting point of this group is the large stylistic intersection between the guitarist and the singer. The two met for the first time in 2022. At that time, it was first about concert bookings in Fischbacher's home region, the Ruhr area. The active jazz man, who comes from Lübeck and commutes between Wuppertal and Berlin these days, has also been involved in the planning of concerts, concert series and festivals for a long time. Said contact with Esther Kaiser (the Freiburg native has lived in Berlin since the late nineties) led to appearances by the Axel Fischbacher trio with Kaiser as guest vocalist. This musical and personal encounter gave rise to a mutual desire to create something common. There should be plenty of room for their own pieces. The appeal for Kaiser: "There are many familiar points of contact between us, but also differences; that's what interested me. I love Axel's compositions! I find the way he composes beautiful and exciting, even if his pieces are very different from mine." Fischbacher added from his perspective: "Esther's pieces never included anything that I found cumbersome. They always ran smoothly, as if automatically."

What was clear was that they wanted to form a solid band that was musically different from what they otherwise did. Speaking of intersection. A door opened for Kaiser with this band, who had recently included singer/songwriter styles, among others. "I'm now ready to improvise in a style like bebop! I hadn't done that before on any of my albums. There were no swing numbers either." This is an example of how this project triggered a new approach to personal potential and helped them to leave their comfort zone. The latter also applies to personal routines that you develop as a bandleader. Both admit how gratifying the experience is to be able to let go in favor of the other's decisions.

During a cozy evening in Kaiser's kitchen in Berlin, Fischbacher and Kaiser compiled and carefully considered ideas for pieces and a band. These included: Suggestions for the line-up. Fischbacher had already played many times with drummer and vibraphonist Michael Knippschild, the Düsseldorf native. Genevieve O’Driscoll was also an obvious choice. The Englishwoman, who has been in Germany since 2019, has already worked with Knippschild in various bands. Both are graduates of the Folkwang University in Essen. The two immediately expressed great interest. In February 2024, the four met for the first time and also played a kind of test concert: an uplifting key moment for everyone.

"Moving Times": the ambiguity of the album title also applies to all those involved in this high-class formation. Of course, there will be concerts, and there are also initial plans for 2026. "What else will result?!" For Esther Kaiser, there is no question that this is a quartet with a perspective.

Esther Kaiser, vocals
Axel Fischbacher, guitar
Genevieve O'Driscoll, double bass
Michael Knippschild, drums

TRACKLIST

1. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - I Don´t Dance
2. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - Who's Habakuk
3. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - How 2 5 U
4. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - Look at the Moon
5. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - Beatrice
6. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - Nordic Sketch
7. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - Time to Move
8. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - Move
9. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - Song for Leonard
10. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - All Heated and Chemically Treated
11. Esther Kaiser;Axel Fischbacher;Michael Knippschild;Genevieve O'Driscoll - The Silver Lining