Reviews about Denis Gäbel
“Denis Gäbel has perfectly captured the spirit of the master saxophonist Sonny Rollins on his expertly crafted recording ‘Keep On Rollin'’. That he does so while maintaining his individuality is no minor accomplishment. I was impressed with his big sound, loose phrasing and overall confidence. After listening to this fresh outing from him I'm left with the impression that this is the start of a wonderful career for this talented saxophonist. To quote a theme song that I used to play with Sonny, Denis: ‘Don't Stop The Carnival’!!!”
Mark Soskin (Pianist in Sonny Rollins Band for 15 years)
“He plays so imaginatively and constructs his solos wonderfully! His technique is powerful! Denis is above the subject matter!”
Han Reiziger (Chairman of the international ‘Pim Jacobs-Concours’ jury, Rotterdam)
“What a fantastic tribute to Sonny Rollins, and a very personal one at that!” Laurence Donohue-Greene (New Yorker ‘All About Jazz’)
“...He is a true bandleader. This requires a vision, a strong sense of sound, structure, and presentation. Gäbel has it all!...” Yuri Honing
“...Denis Gäbel is present with a radiant sound and even in crazy tempos finds vocal lines...” Martina Binnig (Osnabrücker Tageszeitung)
“....Formula 1 of trio jazz...” Andreas Köthe (HNA-Kassel)
“...You’d be hard-pressed to find musicians more in thrall of early Rollins...They capture the spur-of-the-moment air that’s so important to the act of improvisation, and which I too seldom encounter in the work of young jazz musicians...” Chris Kelsey (Saxophonics)
“...A very interesting, refreshing record, excellently played and carefully considered...” Peter Herbolzheimer
contact http://www.denisgaebel.com email info@denisgaebel.com tel 0177/7952041
2007/08 Concerts with own bands and as a sideman including MoersFestival, WDR3 JazzCologne (Double concert with Ravi Coltrane), CologneJazzNight, JazzOpen Stuttgart, Ludwigsburger Jazztage, Burghausener Jazztage, Klara Festival Brussels, Stadtgarten Cologne
2006-08 Concert programs with own compositions, music by Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins, and Duke Ellington
Concerts and tours with Denis Gäbel Trio feat. Jasper Blom, Denis Gäbel 4, Dutch Jazz Orchestra, BuJazzO, Al Porcino, Dick Oatts, Martin Sasse Trio, Tom Gaebel & Band, Emil Mangelsdorff Quartet, Andy Haderer, Günter Bollmann, Ingmar Heller, Mario Gonzi, Joost van Schaik, Karolina Strassmayer, James Kakande, Ruud Breuls
Lessons with Ferdinand Povel, Jasper Blom, Peter Weniger, John Ruocco, Dick Oatts, Dave Liebman, Phil Markowitz, Kenny Werner, Jim McKneely
TV productions for ARD, ZDF, WDR, NDR, 3 Sat, Pro7, RTL, SAT1
Biography of Denis Gäbel
1979Born in Ibbenbüren, North Rhine-Westphalia
1985 Start of cello lessons (until 1998)
1988 Start of piano lessons (until 1999)
1991Start of saxophone lessons
19931st place JugendJazzt, North Rhine-Westphalia
19951st place JugendJazzt, North Rhine-Westphalia
1996 Member of LJJO, North Rhine-Westphalia (until 1998)
1998 Winner of several scholarships at the 1. JugendJazzt competition nationwide with the band "Flood"
1999 Start of music studies at the "Conservatorium van Amsterdam", majoring in saxophone
1999Member of the "BuJazzO" (concert lineup) under the direction of Peter Herbolzheimer (until 2002)
20031st place at the international "Pim Jacobs Concours", Rotterdam (NL)
2003 Bachelor's degree at the "Conservatorium van Amsterdam"
2004Finalist at the "Dutch Jazz Competition"
2005Freelance musician in Cologne since February
2005"Higher Professional Education" (Quasi Master) Diploma at CVA
20065-month study at the Manhattan School of Music in New York
2006 Debut CD "Keep on Rollin'" on "Nagel Heyer Records"
2007/08Concerts with own bands and as a sideman including MoersFestival07, WDR3 JazzCologne, CologneJazzNight, JazzOpen Stuttgart, Ludwigsburger Jazztage, Burghausener Jazztage, Klara Festival Brussels, regularly at Studio 672 Cologne
Quotes about Denis Gäbel
"Denis Gäbel has perfectly captured the spirit of the master saxophonist Sonny Rollins on his expertly crafted recording 'Keep On Rollin'.' That he does so while maintaining his individuality is no minor accomplishment. I was impressed with his big sound, loose phrasing, and overall confidence. After listening to this fresh outing from him, I'm left with the impression that this is the start of a wonderful career for this talented saxophonist. To quote a theme song that I used to play with Sonny, Denis: 'Don't Stop The Carnival'!!!"
Mark Soskin (Pianist in Sonny Rollins Band for 15 years)
"He plays so imaginatively and builds his solos wonderfully! His technique is tremendous! Denis is above the material!"
Han Reiziger (Chairman of the jury of the international "Pim Jacobs-Concours", Rotterdam)
"What a fantastic tribute to Sonny Rollins, and a very personal one at that!"
Laurence Donohue-Greene (New Yorker "All About Jazz")
"...He is a true bandleader. This requires a vision, a strong sense of sound, structure, and presentation. Gäbel has it all!..."
Yuri Honing
"...Denis Gäbel is present with a radiant sound and finds melodic lines even in crazy tempos..."
Martina Binnig (Osnabrücker Tageszeitung)
"...Formula 1 of trio jazz..."
Andreas Köthe (HNA-Kassel)
"...You'd be hard-pressed to find musicians more in thrall of early Rollins...They capture the spur-of-the-moment air that's so important to the act of improvisation, and which I too seldom encounter in the work of young jazz musicians..."
Chris Kelsey (Saxophonics)
"... A very interesting, refreshing record, excellently played and carefully considered..."
Peter Herbolzheimer