The L.A. Sessions features mainly Markus Burger’s original compositions, sprinkled with some of his most favorite standards. The opening track, “Grolnicks,” is Burger’s tribute to Don Grolnick, and showcases Magnusson’s bass and his ability to carry the rhythmic phrase forward effortlessly, with fullness and subtle elegance. “Magnusson for me has the amazing ability to anticipate your next move and support it with intelligent counterpoint”, Burger affirms. “Full Circle,” another of Burger’s compositions, features him doing what he does best, a signature piano improvisational style that is equal parts, poignant and inventive, with an emotive take on a sound that is reminiscent of Keith Jarrett or John Taylor Available now on Challenge Records during ECM’s musical apogee. The 1935 Gerschwin classic “I Loves Porgy,” a featured track in the album, is not only one of Burger’s favorite standards but also his personal homage to his idol and strongest musical influence, jazz legend Bill Evans, who Accidental Tourists Trio recorded the tune in the early 1960s. “Here’s where the album comes full circle for me”, Burger says, as the track features the melodic mastery of none other than Bill Evans’ own drummer, Joe LaBarbera. LaBarbera The L.A. Sessions tackles the ballad with his legendary use of wire brushes and a strong sense of time and space, all of which have come to define his musical style over the years. After immersing himself in a duo project for the past decade, Burger says that working with a trio was a “refreshing experience because the communication in that setting is much wider and ideas flow in many more directions.” The L.A. Sessions Album – Accidental Tourists – The Band Featured Ensemble Markus Burger, Piano (Lead)Featured Ensemble The Concept A prolific jazz pianist and composer, with a signature style strongly steeped Accidental Tourists is the brainchild of Los Angeles-based, German jazz in melodic phrasing and impressionistic brush strokes , that often draws pianist Markus Burger – a concept that will see him collaborating with a comparisons to Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau and Bill Evans; Markus Burger series of musicians around the world who, past and present, helped shape has been successfully recording, selling albums and playing to sold-out and inform his own artistic evolution. audiences around the globe for two decades. “The L.A. Sessions” album is the first of what Burger hopes will be a series, He began studying classical piano at the age of six, though by his early and sees him launching his musical journey by collaborating with jazz teens, influenced by the eclectic sounds emanating from his extensive vinyl veterans, drummer Joe LaBarbera (Bill Evans, Art Pepper and Tony collection, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his jazz idols, Keith Bennett), and bassist Bob Magnusson (Art Pepper, Sarah Vaughan, Bonnie Jarrett, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Raitt, Neil Diamond). In the early 2000’s, Burger moved from Cologne, Germany to Los Angeles, After months of arranging and composing, sifting through his favorite where he now resides with his family, composes for film and television and standards and jazz albums, and deciding where and with whom to record works as a music educator and clinician. first, Burger found himself serendipitously revisiting the music of Bill Evans, http://www.markusburger.com leading him to accidentally begin his musical adventure right in his own “backyard" of Los Angeles, as he was given the rare opportunity to team up Joe LaBarbera, Drums with the former rhythm section of his piano idol and early jazz influence. Joe La Barbera has enjoyed a long career in music, one that has taken him http://www.accidentaltouristsmusic.com all over the world with some of the finest names in jazz, including Bill Evans, Art Pepper and most recently, singer Tony Bennett. General Management: Cibelle Burger – Septer Media Group, LLC USA Tel. +310-437.3334 He is highly regarded by his peers and is a well-known musical drummer Email: [email protected] and supportive accompanist. Jazz great Bill Evans summed it up best when www.septermediagroup.com he said that “Joe is very dedicated to playing quality music, and he’s willing to make the concessions of dues toward that end.” “One of the most exciting voices to come along since Bob Magnusson, Bass Keith Jarrett" Dan McClenaghan - All About Jazz Jazz, pop, and classical bassist Bob Magnusson has performed and recorded with many pop and jazz greats, including Buddy Rich, Sarah Vaughan, the Art Pepper Quartet, Linda Ronstadt, Natalie Cole, Neil "Dynamic variation and the shifting roles of soloist Diamond, Bonnie Raitt, 10,000 Maniacs, and Madonna. He is the author of and accompanist continually gratify. Burger “The Art of the Walking Bass” and has performed at some of the world’s usually doesn’t play a note or phrase that isn’t most prominent venues including Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center for meaningful." 4 Stars the Performing Arts, and Carnegie Hall Symphony. Kirk Silsbee- Downbeat Magazine .