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DRUMMER ALEX RIEL
The Early Years
Alex Riel was born September 1940 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has since the sixties remained firmly established as one of the most significant and influential jazz drummers in Europe. His career began in the early sixties where he was the house drummer at the legendary jazz club "Montmartre" in Copenhagen. The rhythm section also included bass player Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and alternately pianists Tete Montuliu and Kenny Drew. During this time Alex Riel got to accompany a vast number of visiting international stars as Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Dorham, Don Byas, Donald Byrd, Yusef Lateef and many more.
This led to Alex Riel being chosen as the “Danish Jazz Musician Of the Year†in 1965. This award was presented to him by Duke Ellington and drummer Sam Woodyard. Shortly hereafter he released his first recording as a bandleader (with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Kenny Drew).
Alex Riel (dr), Kenny Drew (p), Ben Webster (s), NHOP (b), 1964.
Bill Evans Trio
In 1965-66 Alex Riel toured in Europe as a member of the renowned pianist Bill Evans' trio with bassist Eddie Gomez. A DVD with this trio has recently been released (see the video section of this page). He also played in constellations with Evans and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen; and with the trio being joined by Swedish singer Monica Zetterlund.
Bill Evans (p), Eddie Gomez (b) Alex Riel (dr). Oslo 1966.
Bill Evans (p), Alex Riel (dr),
Eddie Gomez (b) and Monica Zetterlund (voc). Copenhagen 1965.
The Modern Jazz Drummer
Over the years Alex Riel has played with an impressive number of fine jazz musicians representing both the traditional and the modern way. His very first impression of jazz drumming was that of Big Sid Catlett and Zutty Zingleton, and this early influence is still perceptible in his playing. However Riel’s appearance with musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, Archie Shepp, Michel Petrucciani, Gary Burton, John Scofield etc has made him widely known as a modern drummer taking up the styles of drummers Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes and Tony Williams.
Drummers Billy Hart, Alex Riel and Ed Thigpen. July 2008.
Recording - as sideman & band leader
Ever since the late 50’s Alex Riel has played as a sideman on several hundred jazz (and rock) recordings with various international artists. During the last decade he’s been releasing CD’s in his own name as well. These recordings are featuring contemporary stars such as Jerry Bergonzi, Michael Brecker, Kenny Werner and Mike Stern – but also “old†favourites like trumpet player Harry Sweet Edison and bassist Eddie Gomez.
In the music player at the top right of this page you'll find "The Bat" featuring guitarist Mike Stern and sax player Jerry Bergonzi (from the CD Rielatin'). You'll also find "In Your Own Sweet Way" .. a tune from the trio CD Celebration with pianist Kenny Werner, bass player Jesper Lundgaard and Alex Riel.
Jerry Bergonzi (sax), Alex Riel (drums), Mike Stern (guitar), Kenny
Werner (piano), Michael Brecker (sax), Chris Minh Doky (bass).
Photo taken at the recording of the CD Rielatin' in NYC in 1999.
R.I.P Michael!
The Rock & Fusion Drummer
Alex Riel has also been working a great deal outside the jazz area. He was a founding member of “The Savage Rose†- one of the most significant Scandinavian rock groups ever – with whom he recorded several albums. They toured extensively around Europe and US in the late 60s and early 70s. In 1969 they played at the original Newport Festival in USA where they shared the stage with Jethru Tull, James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone.
See video clip with Savage Rose playing "The Girl I Knew" (at the left of this page).
The Savage Rose!
More pics in the GALLERI
In addition to this, Alex Riel has drawn attention to himself as a rock drummer through his long time work with the successful Danish singer and composer Sebastian (see videoclip). Riel has furthermore been playing in a number of jazz-rock fusion bands like "V8" (w. Palle Mikkelborg), "Six Winds" (w. Marilyn Mazur), "Santa Cruz" and "Peter Herbolzheimer's Rhythm Combination & Brass".
The Recent Years
In the recent years Alex Riel has worked a great deal with the Hamburg based NDR big band featuring Abdullah Ibrahim, and toured with a vast number of smaller groups, including groups led or co-led by himself. He’s also been playing various studio jobs and concerts with artists like Phil Woods, Charlie Mariano, Lisa Nilsson, Stefano Bollani, Palle Danielsson, John Taylor, Johnny Griffin, Jacky Terrasson, Andy Sheppard, Palle Mikkelborg, Didier Lockwood and Pat Metheny.
Pat Metheny and Alex Riel
In 2007 Alex Riel received the honourable †Lifetime Achievement Award †from IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry). The award was presented to Alex by his God son, drummer Stefan Pasborg.
Alex Riel and Stefan Pasborg, Copenhagen 2007.
Coming up in 2008:
Anniversary, new CD releases ... and new ROCK trio!
In 2008 Alex Riel is celebrating his 50 year anniversary as a professional drummer. To mark the occasion Alex will release several new CDs featuring great friends like sax player Charlie Mariano, pianist Kenny Werner, sax player Jerry Bergonzi and bassist Pierre Boussaguet. Alex' anniversary will furthermore be marked by two big concerts with Phil Woods, Bobby Watson, Kenny Werner a.o. during the Copenhagen Jazzfestival 2008. Please scroll down this page for more info on the anniversary (on the left).
Other than than Alex will be playing various gigs/tours with Dahl/Vinding/Riel, Santa Cruz, Alex Riel trio, Benjamin Koppel, Didier Lockwood, the Doky Brothers, Ulla Henningsen, Jan Allen, Arild Andersson etc.
As a bit of musical curiosity Alex has recently gotten together with legendary rock guitarist Billy Cross (Bob Dylan etc) and bass player Ole Bredahl (Sir Henry) to form a trio playing covers of great ROCK tunes .. more to come about this project !!!!!!
The Happy Drummer!
Alex Riel has recieved several awards and marks of honour throughout his carreer. In fact he is regulary being referred to as “a living legendâ€. It is however his youthful playfulness on stage and his obvious enjoyment of playing the drums that to this day characterize him more than anything!
Alex Riel soloing at Drum Day 2006 (YouTube link)
More about Alex Riel on:
Alex Riel website
Alex Riel on Drummerworld.com
Drummerworld forum about Alex Riel
BOOKING ALEX RIEL
For booking Alex Riel please contact himself HERE
DAHL / VINDING / RIEL
Carsten Dahl - piano
Mads Vinding - bass
Alex Riel - drums
The musical partnership of drummer Alex Riel and veteran bass player Mads Vinding goes back many years and is known to be one of the best European bass/drum constellations a soloist can wish for. Add another of the greatest talents coming out of Denmark in recent years, pianist Carsten Dahl - now widely recognized on the international jazz scene as well - …and you have one helluva trio!
The Dahl / Vinding / Riel trio is characterized by a unique interplay between three top class musicians and close friends, who are each equilibrists on their instrument. Their deep mutual understanding of each other’s playing generates an outcome that is always energetic, playful, surprising, entertaining and refined.
The band members’ sheer joy of playing together and their eagerness to challenge - and not least tease each other - in their improvisations is obvious in the music as well as on their faces! Let there be no doubt: these guys do NOT know what will happen when they go on stage!!
And so a concert with Dahl / Vinding / Riel always leaves the audience spellbound - whether it be by the trio’s astounding musical detours whenever the music and the mood calls for it, or by their beautiful lyrical interpretations of ballads.
The Dahl / Vinding / Riel trio has received national and international acclaim, including several Danish Grammy’s for their recording â€Six Hands, Three Minds, One Heartâ€.
In the music player above you'll find the trio's exhilarating and indeed very improvised live version of "All Blues".
Undoubtedly one of the most exciting European piano trios around!!
For booking Dahl / Vinding / Riel please contact www.musang.dk
ALEX RIEL TRIO
Heine Hansen - piano
Jesper Lundgaard - bass
Alex Riel - drums
Piano trios have held a special place in Alex Riel’s heart ever since he toured with the Bill Evans Trio at the age of 25. Since then, he has accompanied a star-studded parade of eminent jazz pianists, such as Oscar Peterson, Billy Strayhorn, Kenny Drew, and in recent years Michel Petrucciani, Kenny Werner, Enrico Pieranunci, and John Taylor.
It was a dream come true when Alex Riel formed his own trio with Heine Hansen on piano and Jesper Lundgaard on bass. “I see this trio as my musical playground where I can try out my ideas, take chances and play tunes I’ve always wanted to take up. And to do so in the company of such bizarrely good musicians as Heine Hansen and Jesper Lundgaard
is both a huge challenge and amazingly inspiring!†says Alex Riel about his new trio.
Jesper Lundgaard has been Alex’ musical partner and playmate for years. As a matchless bass player with big sound, amazing swing, and superb melodic sense, Jesper Lundgaard is widely held to be among the world’s best.
Pianist Heine Hansen is one of the greatest contemporary talents within the Scandinavian jazz scene. With his evocative compositions and surprising interpretation of standards he's a unique source of inspiration for the trio’s experienced masters.
CDs with Alex Riel Trio
The trio's first recording "What Happened?" recieved excellent reviews and topped the list for best selling jazz CDs in Japan.
Their second CD "The High & The Mighty" was officially released on November 12th 2007 - and this one too has already recieved top reviews! Listen to "Long Ago And Far Away" in the music player above.
Buy the NEW RELEASE "The High And The Mighty" online at:
IMUSIC (Danish & English), MACUU (Danish & English), CDON.COM (Danish only)
For booking "Alex Riel Trio" please contact Cowbell Music
SANTA CRUZ - fusion
Denmark's top fusion band of the 80's has reformed. The band members - who are all recognized names on the Danish (and international) jazz and rock scene - are all thrilled to be back together playing this powerful music again .. as it sounds in 2007!
In the music player above you'll find an extract of the tune "Nicole", featuring guitarist Poul Halberg and Alex Riel.
Poul Halberg - electric guitar
Hans Ulrik - saxes
Frans Bak - keys
Alex Riel - drums
Bo Stief - electric bass
Review of the CD "Cruzing" (Cowbell 2006)
"After a 25-year hiatus, one of Europe’s premier fusion bands, Santa Cruz, reunited at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in 2005 and demonstrated to the enthusiastic crowd that its music was still as energetic as ever. The Danish quartet, led by drummer Alex Riel, delivered the retro sounds of '70s and '80s fusion, comprised of equal parts harmony, arrangements and heady improvisation.
At a concise 41 minutes, the recording still packs a huge punch, with stimulating performances and well-developed selections that showcase the bandmembers' life-giving connections with each other and the crowd. " [...] "Santa Cruz gives listeners a bounty of good music on this memorable reunion. Encore!"
Read the full review on AllAboutJazz
For booking Santa Cruz please contact www.fynsmusikkontor.dk
A few reviews ...
CELEBRATION
(Stunt 2000)
with Alex Riel (dr), Kenny Werner (p), Jesper Lundgaard (b)
"There's an abundance of swing, simpatico, and sheer virtuosity to be heard."
Read the full review on AllAboutJazz
"A thoughtfully planned, beautifully recorded, generously timed and wonderfully played trio session led by drummer Alex Riel and showcasing the prodigious talents of pianist Kenny Werner and bassist Jesper Lundgaard, so exhilarating that this reviewer was reminded from time to time of the classic Marian McPartland Hickory House trio from the '50s with bassist Bill Crow and drummer Joe Morello." [...] "As for Riel and Lundgaard, they are twin pillars of tastefulness and talent, thoroughly at ease in every situation and always ready to maximize the trio's rhythmic impact. Listen, for example, to their understated mastery on “Green Dolphin Street†— or anywhere else, for that matter"
Read the full review on AllAboutJazz
"Few live albums keep the listener rapt, feeling as if he were actually in the room. This is one of those, a five-star record." [...] "Celebration" is a program of oft-heard songs and exceptional performances. It echoes the message of Keith Jarrett's trio: Standards are relevant to today's music. To jazz musicians, they are both catalysts and aphrodisiacs, sparking conversation amongst beautiful melody and captivating harmonies. "Celebration" epitomizes this potential; and appropriately Riel, on his 60th birthday, is reminded that some things are timeless."
Read the full review on Amazon.com
NOTE that in the music player you'll find the tune "In Your Own Sweet Way" from the CD "Celebration" (it's the 5th tune, so scroll down).
UNRIEL
(Stunt 1997)
with Alex Riel (dr), Jerry Bergonzi & Michael Brecker (saxes),
Mike Stern (guitar), Niels Lan Doky (p), Eddie Gomez (b)
"Riel, the Great Dane of European jazz drummers, joins the realm of the New York neo-bop crowd for his fourth disc as a leader. Tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, bassist Eddie Gomez, and either guitarist Mike Stern or pianist Niels Lan Doky, are more than equal partners, while Michael Brecker joins Gonz on the front line for two tracks. Riel is an exceptional timekeeper and unique in that he is able to create improvisations within a steady rhythmic framework that is intense and frenetic." [... ] "It's clear these are experts in their field, and Riel is comfortably in their league. Further evidence is included in an extensive, perhaps complete, amazing discography printed in the booklet of this CD. It's proof positive that Europe has at least one precious percussive jazz commodity America lacks."
Read the full review on AllMusic.com
"Just check out the personnel on this fantastic recording .. " [...] "The music is tight, well composed and funky. All done in one takes, these guys really show how to do it, into the studio and we're off! On Bruce, Mike Stern sets off with a weird, thrilling guitar theme, that sends chills down your spine and when Gomez adds his bass line to the thing, MAN."
Read the review on JazzReview.com
