Photo by Cornel Brad
Detroit born baritone sax extraordinaire ALEX HARDING and Transylvanian expat pianist LUCIAN BAN have been at the forefront of contemporary jazz for more than two decades, collaborating and founding several groups together, releasing a handful of diverse albums for American and European labels, performing countless concerts and tours all the while documenting an amazing body of music. From their debut duet Somethin’ Holy (Cimp 2001) to their Premonition quintet (Cimp 200), from the Tuba Project (Cimp 20065) featuring legendary Bob Stewart to Mr. Harding’s own Blutopia (Jazzaway 2006) featuring master drummer Nasheet Waits, from The Romanian – American Jazz Suite sextet led co-led with soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome, the two musicians have developed an extraordinary musical partnership. In 2003 their co-lead ensemble Lumination featuring drum legend Barry Altschul was voted BEST SHOW OF THE YEAR by All About Jazz NY Magazine among shows by Cecil Taylor, Joe Lovano and others.
The pair first release is Somethin’ Holy (2001, CIMP Records ) a duet album with “an arresting immediacy” featuring original compositions and Ellington’s Fleurette Africaine showcasing the duo chemistry and musical concept.
“In near telepathic collusion, Harding and Ban mean what they say”
May 2019 Sunnyside records releases DARK BLUE, their long awaited follow up album, a unique amalgamation of original pieces and improvisations informed by traditions of jazz, blues, and European chamber music. From avant blues to spontaneous improv pieces, from uncanny ballads that seem to channel Ben Webster and Archie Sheep into an alternate Sun Ra universe, from intricate bass clarinet & piano duets to a heartfelt solo baritone tribute to the late master Hamiet Bluiett, DARK BLUE represents a stunning document of two artists at their maturity, two old friends conversing in the language of modern jazz.
“By the time of “Somethin’ Holy,” the powerful braying of Alex Harding overwhelms with its muscular force . . . Somethin’ Holy is Ban’s first release as a leader on an American label, and it reflects a sensitive spirit at peace with the world who is unafraid of confronting radical challenges”
“Ban plays with a fluency and sensibility that recalls Vladimir Horowitz as much as McCoy Tyner while Harding can break your heart with tenderness or shatter you with intensity”
“Alex Harding and Lucian Ban have developed a fruitful partnership over the years. Harding’s bluesy, church-steeped baritone sax is the logical heir to Hamiet Bluiett’s, while Ban’s tasteful, reflective piano playing combines the elegance and technical precision of the European classical tradition with wide-ranging musical interests and a passion for improvisation”
Jeff Stockton, ALL ABOUT JAZZ