Standard Questions Johannes Enders

• 1 Why 04:27
• 2 Isn't It Romantic 07:23
• 3 How Long Has This Been Going On 05:15
• 4 What Kind of Blue 04:53
• 5 How High the Moon 06:00
• 6 Where Are You 05:47
• 7 How Deep Is the Ocean 08:48
• 8 What Am I Here For 05:56
• 9 What's New 05:05
• Total Runtime 53:34

Info for Standard Questions

The idea behind Johannes Enders' formation Standard Questions was inspired by the concept of dedicating their repertoire exclusively to pieces that feature a question in the title. What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?, What’s New?, Where Are You?—these timeless classics set the stage for a journey into inquiry and imagination. Of course, this first-class, internationally acclaimed quartet will also attempt to answer these and other vital questions of humanity through their music.

Johannes Enders is probably one of the most productive and experimental tenor saxophonists of his generation, far beyond the borders of Germany. The 2-meter man from Weilheim, who studied in Munich, Graz and New York, is an active creative spirit whose immense artistic output is full of surprises. For this he has been awarded numerous prizes in recent years, including the Cultural Promotion Prize of the City of Munich, the SWR Jazz Prize, the New German Jazz Prize, the German Music Authors' Prize and the Echo Jazz.

Oliver Kent is an Austrian jazz pianist known for his dynamic and versatile style. Initially trained in classical music, Kent began studying jazz piano and music theory in Vienna in 1987, where he has also been teaching since 2002. Over the course of his career, he has collaborated with numerous international jazz luminaries such as Art Farmer, Idris Muhammad, and Eddie Henderson. In 2002, he was awarded the Hans Koller Prize, and in 2007, he won the New German Jazz Prize alongside Johannes Enders.

Josh Ginsburg is a fixture on concert stages and in jazz clubs around the world. His most recent album as a leader, "Zembla Variations", was named Album of the Year by the New York City Jazz Record. A New York musician from the beginning, he has performed regularly with many influential musicians and has toured internationally with bands led by Kurt Rosenwinkel, David Friedman, Jeremy Pelt, E.J. Strickland, George Colligan, Jure Pukl, Logan Richardson, Diego Piñera, Tino Derado and Aruán Ortiz.

Gene Calderazzo is an American drummer who ranks among the finest in his craft, much like his younger brother, Joey Calderazzo. Over the years, Gene has performed with legendary artists such as Branford Marsalis, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Benny Golson, and Pharoah Sanders, among many others. Since 1995, he has been based in the United Kingdom, where he has contributed significantly to jazz education, teaching at several prestigious institutions.

Johannes Enders, tenor and soprano saxophone
Oliver Kent, piano
Josh Ginsberg, bass
Gene Calderazzo, drums

Johannes Enders
played the saxophone for the first time at the age of 14 and soon began taking lessons at the Weilheim Music School. There he met Micha and Markus Acher, who would later make up two-thirds of the Tied & Tickled Trio. A scholarship obtained for him by American bass legend Reggie Workman (John Coltrane, Art Blakey, among others) and his friendship with his mentor Vincent Herring led him to New York and the New School. There, Enders not only enjoyed the city and its clubs, but above all the lessons of jazz legends such as Donald Byrd, Jerry Bergonzi, Jimmy Cobb, and many others. His silver trophy at the American Music Fest in San Francisco (1990) and his participation in the finals of the renowned Thelonious Monk Competition in Washington, D.C., the following year ensured him a successful reception in the promised land.

Back in Germany, Johannes Enders quickly established himself as one of the most important voices on the tenor saxophone and was awarded the City of Munich's Culture Promotion Prize for Music, the SWR Jazz Prize, the Weilheim Culture Prize, and the New German Jazz Prize, among others. He became a member of the Tied & Tickled Trio and discovered his love for electronic and minimal music.

In addition to guest appearances on other artists' albums and numerous side projects, he repeatedly collaborates with musicians such as Gene Calderazzo, Jorge Rossi, Billy Hart, Joris Teepe, and many others. With Enders Room, a substantial and successful electro-jazz project that has released five successful albums to date (“Monolith,” 2003, “Human Radio,” 2004, “Hotel Alba,” 2006, “Random Guru,” 2008, Hikikomori 2020), he can mainly be heard at festivals.

This album contains no booklet.