Eugen Cicero

• DIGIPACK EDITION

With Bucharest 1994, IN+OUT Records now presents a very special live event by this man who has created something unique in his mediation between classical music and jazz standards.

This is the first concert with exceptional bassist Decebal Badila, which layed under lock and key for 28 years. Already at a young age, Badila adored the music of his older compatriot and was already very familiar with Cicero‘s repertoire before their first meeting, which can impressively be heard on the recordings. On that day, a long-cherished dream came true for him.

In 1995 Badila gained worldwide recognition with his first solo album Nothing But Bass. Together with Archibald‘s Dance (2001) he created milestones in the development of the electric bass guitar and established himself as one of the leading masters on his instrument. He toured throughout Europe with international jazz greats and has been a regular member of the SWR Big Band since 1998.

Until Cicero‘s early death in 1997, the two remained faithful to each other and played concerts and festivals all over Europe. Badila was even accompanied by Cicero at his now legendary exam concert in 1996.

The present recording testifies the blind understanding of the two musicians. The listener is led through a delightful, exciting and varied programme that spans the classical arc from Scarlatti to Mozart to Liszt, while skilfully weaving in great jazz standards. Bucharest 1994 contains both entertaining, technically demanding and documentarily indispensable material from the early work of a rising virtuoso musician and the late work of an exceptional artist whom the jazz world lost far too early.

PERSONNEL:

• Eugen Cicero (piano)
• Decebal Badila (electric bass)

TRACKS:

• 01. Gershwin Medley
• 02. Christiana´s Song
• 03. Sonata In C Major
• 04. Tea For Two
• 05. Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman
• 06. Les Feuilles Mortes
• 07. Concerto C Major 2nd Movement
• 08. Paganini Etude No. 2