Erich Kleinschuster’s projects and initiatives played a vital role in establishing a spiritual home for jazz in Vienna. The founding of his sextet in 1966 and, in 1968, a jazz department at the Vienna Conservatory, were catalysts for a scene that attracted international stars as well as nurturing the careers of home-grown virtuosos. Many jazz exiles, admired in Europe as they never were in the United States, settled for long periods, carving out new lives on the continent. The recordings in this series – many only recently discovered and presented for their first time on these vinyl editions – provide an illuminating and long overdue testament to one of the unsung forces of modern jazz in Europe.

This three-part anthology, featuring previously unissued ORF studio sessions, provides a fascinating insight into Erich Kleinschuster’s long-lost yet significant contribution to the musical landscape within Europe. The first album in this second volume features Joe Henderson who, five years prior to this date, began recording with Blue Note records, becoming over this short period a leading tenor saxophonist. Spending his formative years in Detroit, Henderson mixed company with, among others, Curtis Fuller, Yusef Lateef, Donald Byrd and Barry Harris. Kenny Dorham gave Henderson his first break. Friends and stablemates at Blue Note, Dorham recorded ‘Mamacita’, the first number in this set, for his 1965 album ‘Trompeta Toccata’. ‘Recorda Me’ (meaning ‘remember me’ in Portuguese) was featured on ‘Page One’, Joe’s first album as leader, cut in 1963. These two bossa nova originals reflect Henderson’s long-standing love affair with Brazilian music; he went on to record an entire album of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s music in 1995. Henderson revives Billy Strayhorn’s standard ‘Chelsea Bridge’, demonstrating his depth and range, from latin and bossa to ballads, then switching in and out on ‘Inner Urge’, the title track of his 1964 album.

The last two numbers to close this side are also penned by Henderson. ‘The Kicker’ was first recorded a year before this ORF date, under a new signing with Milestone Records; the label marked a new direction for his boundless exploration. Dusko Goykovich guests on the second set. Born in 1931 in Jajce, Yugoslavia, he moved to Frankfurt in 1955 after studying at the Belgrade Music Academy. Dusko first met Erich Kleinschuster in 1958, when they participated in the ‘International Youth Band’ at the Newport Jazz Festival. After receiving a scholarship in 1961 to study composing and arranging at Berklee College of Music, Dusko joined the bands of Maynard Ferguson and Woody Herman. Following this three-year tenure, he returned to Europe, resuming employment with the Clarke-Boland Big Band. Both Kleinschuster and Goykovich are alumni of the Clarke-Boland ensemble, Dusko playing off and on with the CBBB for well over 15 years. Dusko’s reputation continued to grow, and in 1966 he was voted top European trumpeter in the ‘Down Beat’ critics‘ poll.

Recorded in 1967, ‘Swinging Macedonia’ was Dusko‘s first album as leader. The album fused modern jazz with Balkan folk and featured a stellar cast, including Nathan Davis and Mal Waldron. ‘Sega Se Karame’, perhaps the most memorable composition from that date, is reprised for this ORF recording. The oriental feel of the original is further enhanced for this reworking with the exotic tone of Hans Salomon’s bass clarinet, while Fritz Pauer’s eastern textures interplay with Fritz Ozmec’s ethnic percussion. The other two Goykovich originals in this set continue the theme: Yugoslav folk music within a jazz framework. These Balkan themes, structured with modern jazz elements are combined without affectation, and are an entirely natural impulse for Dusko. ‘Madison Walk’ adeptly integrates Slavic atmosphere with a modal nod to Miles. Debuted on this ORF studio session, ‘Madison Walk’ was recorded again just a week later for Dusko‘s 1970 album ‘Live at the Domicile Munich’, released by MPS Records.

Previously unreleased compositions by Erich Kleinschuster, Robert Politzer and Hans Salomon are also featured in this set. The mastertape for Politzer’s ‘As Usual’ was a recent discovery, unearthed during the production of these volumes.