Hans Salomon
Hans Salomons Big Band Machine

There are individuals who dedicate their lives to music. They are not leaders and do not even seek to be. They are content with immersing their existence in projects that stimulate them and never halt the flow of their abilities. Individuals who are silent and unknown protagonists, behind the scenes, backup arms in major projects, glue of bands, and pieces that create a whole that only when it all comes together, gets noticed. And here, at seventy years old, honor arrives. A very long career filled with a thousand anecdotes, travels, and adventures, culminates with a work that finally bears their name on the cover.

A living legend of the Austrian jazz scene.

Hans Salomon, first a tenor saxophonist, then a composer and multi-instrumentalist, began his career in the 1950s alongside the great Joe Zawinul, with whom he founded the "Austrian All Stars". Simultaneously, he performed in Johannes Fehring's big band and took part in international tours with jazz artists like Fatty George. A touchstone of the Austrian national television orchestra, he did not, however, fail to follow in Zawinul's footsteps, who had moved to the U.S.A. to evolve his style and grow in terms of experiences.

Hans Salomon also emigrated and carved out a space in the "Newport International Band", where he worked side by side with Louis Armstrong, as well as Gerry Mulligan. His career continued with several returns to Europe until taking part with the Brussels orchestra alongside Sarah Vaughan and Sidney Bechet. Since 1965, he has been frequently included in various Viennese orchestra setups.

Indeed, he has made several appearances in groups like "Vienna Big Band Machine" and "Blue Note Big Band". And so, after decades as a mercenary, an album finally comes out under his name, namely "Hans Salomons Big Band Machine".

The album summarizes the musical adventures of the sprightly musician who often embraces orchestral blends, solos, and does not even disdain rock influences. It's a pity that it can only be retrieved on occasions when he himself performs, as he relies on an independent label that promotes him only locally. A few lines, I allow myself, to remember a musician of great value and experience.