Pablo Held

Brand X and Jeff Berlin, Norway's Red Kite, Germany's Pablo Held and more

by Len Davis
January 28, 2022

New releases from Norwegian band Red Kite, German pianist Pablo Held, Confusion Project from Poland and bassist Lee Puckett.Playlist Rough Ramblers “Prove It" from Dolls House (Daisy Dog) 00:00 {Joel Hoekstra “Translucent" from The Moon Is Falling (Self Produced) 06:48 Brand X “True To The Clik" from Manifest Destiny (Outer Music) 13:42 Jeff Berlin “Runaway Train" from In Harmony's Way (MAJ) 20:39 {Red Kite “Feet Don't Fail Me Now" from Apophenian Bliss (Rare Noise) 27:20 Pablo Held"Thorne of ...

Pablo Held Trio: Investigations

by Roger Farbey
March 27, 2018

The complex title perfectly characterises Pablo Held's compositional approach. Here he utilises light and shade to mix swathes of tranquillity with petulant stabbing phrases accompanied by equally sharp drum retorts. However, and this is crucial, the piece flows together seamlessly. The lissome nature of “Dr Freeds" betrays an influence of Bill Evans but the ethereal, searching quality encapsulating “I'll Dream Of Flowers" is more reminiscent of compositions by Held's erstwhile mentor, the British jazz piano virtuoso John Taylor. ...

WDR Jazzfest 2017

by Phillip Woolever
April 8, 2017

WDR Jazzfest Gutersloh, Germany February 2-4, 2017 The best friend of German jazz and a considerable number of passionate followers is probably a state funded media institution. In a relatively short time span of six years, the WDR Jazzfest has blossomed from infancy to impressive European stature. WDR, a broadcasting conglomerate of radio and TV stations, has continued to expand jazz's public access with the help of government funding and admirable efforts ...

Pablo Held: Glow

by Dan Bilawsky
April 6, 2011

German piano wonder Pablo Held was only 23 years old when he entered the studio to record the music on Glow, but he had already earned his place in the pantheon of modern day piano trio leaders. Held's first two albums--Forest Of Oblivion (Pirouet, 2008) and Music (Pirouet, 2010)--helped put him on the map, but Glow might go down as his real breakthrough record. Held leaves the trio format behind, though he retains the services of drummer Jonas Burgwinkel and ...

Pablo Held: Music

by Dan Bilawsky
March 12, 2010

Using the word “music" as an album title can be viewed as a bold and defining statement . . . or a simple word choice. Whether Held wanted to raise some eyebrows here or he was simply choosing an album title doesn't matter . . . but the music does! Held's original works defy easy description. He doesn't write short, snappy heads and songs that are built on predictable harmonic movement, featuring chorus after chorus of solos. His music is ...

Pablo Held: Music

by Dan McClenaghan
March 2, 2010

German piano prodigy Pablo Held debuted as a leader with Forest of Oblivion (Pirouet Records, 2009), an album of surprising depth, suffused with a romantic European feeling. Subtle and smooth-flowing, it was full of nuance and smoldering interludes that would, at times, burst into roaring percussive flames. Held was only 21 years of age at the time of this tremendous debut, but his stand-above-the-crowd talent was obvious.Music, the artist's sophomore effort, carries on in the same thoughtful vein. ...

Pablo Held: Forest Of Oblivion

by Jerry D'Souza
July 22, 2009

Pianist Pablo Held showed early promise by winning three Young Jazz Musician competitions in Germany, the first when he was just 13. He then went into august company playing with the WDR Big Band and trumpeter Manfred Schoof.

On Forest of Oblivion, his first as a leader, Held shows just why he has been such a strong presence. He plays with a subtle urge for nuance, letting his music glow. Just as certainly, he can turn up the beat and ...