RE-BOP UNIT

“One picture is made by small details, some people say. It’s the reason we chose the name RE-BOP UNIT for our ensemble. Meaning that each of the members brings in diversity and unity at the same time. We started to play together in September 2006. First just for fun, later we started rehearsing together on a regular basis and set up some concerts.
RE-BOP UNIT is a quintet formed by young musicians with different cultural and musical backgrounds (romanian, italian, indonesian). Our common link is the jazz language and it's world wide recognition. Our music is based on original compositions, and sometimes jazz standards in different arrangements.
In December 2006 our work was rewarded by being selected for a project named "The Artistry of Dick Oatts and Young Jazz Musicians", a competition for jazz ensembles, organized by the Lectorate Lifelong Learning in Music of the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen.
Aim of the project, that is being subsidized by the Community of Groningen, is for us as a group, to develop our proficiency in composing, arranging and preparing a production of one or more concerts and a CD.
This experience was so special for us that we decided to make a film in wich some of these great moments are caught on tape.“Making the album” has some of the flavour of those weeks of rehearsals, the coaching program, the studio recordings, the final concert featuring Dick Oatts. It's a film about jazz, dedication and friendship.”
Catalin Milea (saxophone): "Playing together in this stage represents for us the need to search for “our own voice”. Simply said, there is a very good energy in our playing and we are trying to develop the kind of interplay, that’s so essential in jazz music. Our group functions as a team, also when we are not rehearsing or performing, but just by listening jazz records, exchanging opinions, cooking or having fun together. This is my first experience of this kind, and I sincerely would like to thank to my band members for their efforts and their music, to my friends, to my family, and to all the people that encouraged me during all this time.”
R. Dhani-Syah W. (piano): "I have a great joy to work in this group where everybody comes with new ideas in arranging and composing music; I feel very challenged playing with people having such a high level in understanding music.”
Jeegug Shin (double bass): "Guys, I really love this project! A lot!"
E. Zulham-Syah W. (drums): "Re-Bop Unit is an exciting adventure for me. Rehearsing, concerts, talking about the plans we have together, I'm enjoying all of it."
George Dumitriu (guitar): "A band means investing a lot of energy in building music together. The more we play and rehearse, the more we have a clear idea of our sound, and we find new ways in composing and arranging music."
We had released our first album called "RE-BOP UNIT featuring Dick Oatts" on 8 of December 2007; it has a video bonus included. We hope you will enjoy listening and seeing it as much as we deed.
“This is music that I watched grow and develop in rehearsals, and I was honored to be a part of that process. I expect you will be hearing a lot more in the future from the Re-Bop Unit!” David Berkman
"My general idea about life is that one can accomplish much more then seems possible if one really wants it. Well Re-Bop Unit has proven this by creating a truly amazing product. The chances where there in the form of money and professional advice, but the level of creativity, musicianship and dedication are far beyond what I expected. As the executive artistic producer I knew Dick Oatts would fit well with them and I can trust David Berkman and Kurt Weiss with my life. So there has been some very powerful artistic input. But still, Re-Bop had to do the work and they pulled it off! Congratulations!" Joris Teepe
“Hey Cats! Congratulations on this CD! I'm so proud to be a part of it! You guys are totally amazing and I still remember our week together like it was yesterday… Great compostions and playing on this recording by all of you. You'll forever be one of the best moments I've experienced in jazz, education, and friendship anywhere. You guys are the greatest and thanks for your talent, effort, and love for the music we shared." Dick Oatts
Thank you for checking our "space", you can also visit our website www.rebopunit.com.