CD ‘Freshta’
Mark Lotz
Music on the edge of contemporary and jazz in a classical instrumented chamber music setting. Dedicated to the memory of female activist Freshta Kohistani. The result of the composition assignment by the Dutch author organization BUMA and the Federation Of Dutch Jazz Festivals VNJJ which was dedicated to the women of Afghanistan.
“Deeply human approach.” (Jazzbuzz, Greece)
“A musical pamphlet that makes you think.” (Jazzflits, The Netherlands)
“A penetrating and equally distressing and serene musical tribute by the Mark Lotz top ensemble.” (JazzHalo, Belgium)
Flutes, effects • Mark Lotz
Clarinets, Bassclarinet • Claudio Puntin
Cello, effects • Jörg Brinkmann
Piano, effects • Jeroen van Vliet
Drums • Dirk-Peter Kölsch
ZenneZ/Berthold records, November 2023
EAN 878-90-833214-1-7 / Catalogue number ZR2023023
Produced by Mark Lotz
Recorded at Power Sound Studio Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2 & 3 May, 2022 by Jorris Wolff.
Mixed at CL-Audio Studio Berlin by CP July 2022
Mastered by Micha de Kanter
Artwork by Frauke Erichsen
Cover Foto by Andrew Quiltry
Foto Mark Lotz by Krijn van Noordwijk
Thanks to Buma/Stemra, VNJJ & Pieter Schoonderwoerd, Lourens van Haaften for the track order and Tammo Heikens for the recording of rain.
A portion of the proceeds from this album will be donated to Care Nederland.
JazzHalo (Belgium)
“A penetrating and equally distressing and serene musical tribute by the Mark Lotz top ensemble.”
Salt Peanuts (Norway)
“All the pieces refer to women activists {cut} and evoke their inspiring spirits and their complex stories with captivating emotional power, beauty and elegance.”
Jazzbuzz (Greece)
“Deeply human approach, beautiful compositions with elegances like “Frouzan” and strong playing in another very good album by the flutist.”
Jazz (Portugal)
“This moulds who I am today. It’s impossible to exclude parts of my identity. Even so, the common thread is jazz. Human and social music in improvisation.”
Culture Jazz (France)
“Oriental influences blend harmoniously with a jazz form that is as open as it is attractive. It offers melodies that are sometimes buoyant and introspective, more rhythmic and combative at other times, but always expressive. The five members of the quintet demonstrate undeniable cohesion.”
La Habitation Del Jazz (Spain)
“On this album, the classical chamber sound meets European-style jazz, far from swing. Mark Lotz once again demonstrates his qualities as an instrumentalist and composer.”
Jazzflits (The Netherlands)
“With the CD “Freshta,” flutist/composer Mark Lotz has created a musical pamphlet that makes you think.”
Valon Kuvia (Finland)
“Effortless swing. Impressive example of music that crosses borders.”
Kulturkomplott (Germany)
“An album that is incredibly inspiring.”
All About Jazz (USA)
“Absolutely admirable.”
Citizenjazz (France)
“Freshta brings Mark Lotz’s fiery musical ideas face to face with a bold theme. With his work, Mark Lotz has placed Freshta at the pinnacle of concept albums.”
