Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography

THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE

Jazz Rock/Fusion • Multi-National


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

The United Jazz + Rock Ensemble picture
The United Jazz + Rock Ensemble biography
Founded in Stuttgart, Germany in 1975 - Disbanded in 2002 - Reformed in 2012 as "Second Generation"

The United Jazz and Rock Ensemble was founded in 1975, when the German TV producer Werner Schretzmeier needed some background music for a TV show for teenagers 'Elfeinhalb' [Eleven-thirty, the title refers to the time of the Sunday morning show] and asked the German jazz pianist Wolfgang Dauner, who's band Et Cetera he had managed since 1972, to compose some music for the show. Targeting a teenage audience Dauner wanted to include rock elements into a big band context and looked for musicians being able to play in both genres. His first choice was Ex-Collosseum drummer John Hiseman, soon joined by guitarist Volker Kriegel and trombone player Albert Mangelsdorff and other musicians. In the beginning the band was called 'Elfeinhalb Ensemble' with frequently changing members playing mainly compositions by Dauner and Kriegel. After a multitude of audience requests for existing records of the 'Elfeinhalb Ensemble' the band decided to do a live record, "Live at The Schützenhaus" in 1977, the hour of birth of The United Jazz and Rock Ensemble as a touring and recording band."Live at The Schützenhaus" became one of the bestselling German jazz records released on the small Mood label. The line up of this record, Wolfgang Dauner (keyboards), Volker Kriegel (guitar), Barbara Thompson (saxes and flute), Charlie Mariano (saxes), Ian Carr (trumpet), Ack van Rooyen (trumpet), Kenny Wheeler (trumpet) Albert Mangeldsorff (trombone), Dave King (bass), Eberhard Weber (bass), Jon Hiseman (drums) would be with small changes the same line-up throughout the history of the band. In 1978 The United Jazz and Rock Ensemble received the 'Deutscher Schallplattenpreis' a prestigious award from the German record industry. The United Jazz and Rock Ensemble recorded and toured from 1977 up to 2002, year of a farewell tour.

The records of the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble are highly recommended

See also: HERE

THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE Videos (YouTube and more)


Showing only random 3 | Show all THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE videos (1) | Search and add more videos to THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE

Buy THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE Music


THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE discography


Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums

THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.41 | 10 ratings
Teamwork
1978
3.94 | 8 ratings
The Break Even Point
1979
3.13 | 5 ratings
Round Seven
1987

THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.03 | 8 ratings
LIVE IM SCHÜTZENHAUS
1977
4.08 | 5 ratings
Live in Berlin
1981
4.00 | 4 ratings
UNITED LIVE OPUS SECHS
1984
4.00 | 1 ratings
NA ENDLICH!
1992
4.00 | 1 ratings
DIE NEUNTE VON UNITED
1996
4.00 | 1 ratings
X
1999

THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

5.00 | 1 ratings
Highlights I + Highlights II
1994
0.00 | 0 ratings
The Ujre plays Albert Mangelsdorff
1998
4.00 | 1 ratings
THE UJRE PLAYS WOLFGANG DAUNER
2001
4.00 | 1 ratings
The UJRE Plays Volker Kreigel
2002
0.00 | 0 ratings
United Jazz + Rock Ensemble plays Barbara Thompson
2002

THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Teamwork by UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE,THE album cover Studio Album, 1978
3.41 | 10 ratings

BUY
Teamwork
The United Jazz + Rock Ensemble Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3 stars 3.5 stars. This really is a fascinating project, and when I first heard about it, it had me doing a double take at the lineup. Multi-national, and the Jazz world is represented well. The "rock" part of this equation not so much. They began playing live in the second half of the 70's and that was their first release back in 1977 and my favourite by them. This is the first studio album from 1978 and the title is telling.

We have nine incredible musicians here and the thought is "too many cooks in the kitchen" but they did this three times in the studio('78, '79 & '87) before going with live only releases which they had been doing anyways('77, '81, '88, '92 & '96) and into the 00's they started picking one of their members and playing that members music live which they've done many times. This project has been going on for decades and I understand that Wolfgang Dauner started this all back in 1975. So nine musicians here on their debut including five horn blowers which you all know is my issue here. Blasting horns is a pet peeve of mine, I don't get it. I can tolerate them more on their first two live records but the two studio albums I own are a difficult listen at times.

So I mentioned that the "rock" quota is not strong here, even the guys who represent that style are all Jazz based so there's that. Jon Hiseman on drums comes from a Jazz start but like Ginger Baker he felt he was too restricted so moved out into more blues based stuff like COLOSSEUM which is Jon's band. Eberhard Weber on bass, Wolfgang Dauner on keyboards, Volker Kriegel guitar and five horn blowers. But check out the names... Barbara Thompson who was married to Jon Hiseman, Ian Carr(NUCLEUS), Charlie Mariano, Albert Mangelsdorff and Ack Van Rooyen. I didn't know the latter two I mentioned when I got into this ensemble but sure know them both now.

"Yin" is really the only track that I'm really into and even it starts with a drum solo then blasting horns before settling in thankfully. Carr's "Gone With The Weed" is the opener and I love this guy, come on! And he shines later on this record. Despite the names this isn't for everyone but I will always be grateful to own the two live records, and in particular "Live Im Schutzenhaus" from 1977. Classy with musicianship at the highest possible level here.

 Round Seven by UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE,THE album cover Studio Album, 1987
3.13 | 5 ratings

BUY
Round Seven
The United Jazz + Rock Ensemble Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3 stars So thankful that I own two of this band's three studio albums plus their first two live records. The hardest part when talking about this band is not dwelling on each member's past. I mean talking about my favourite albums these musicians are on and so forth. So much talent from all over the world. I entered into this their final studio album with some caution as it had been 10 years since they started doing this and it's 1987 so yes I could see the quality slipping or at least the passion and inspiration of playing with these ultra talented colleagues being taken for granted. Thankfully my fears were unwarranted here. I mean talk about professionals.

Going into the music of this rather large group of musicians back in the day I was excited to see Ian Carr of NUCLEUS the most, just a huge fan of his trumpet playing and of his band NUCLEUS. Of course this project being based in Germany I was also excited to see Wolfgang Dauner and Eberhard Weber giving is a Krautrock perpective but also these Jazz greats like Volker Kreigel on guitar and of course the horn players. And speaking of horn players my biggest discovery through this project might be the trombone player Albert Mangelsdorff. In fact I remember hearing him on the song "Raga Yagapriya" here and shouting Mangelsdorff! about 6 1/2 minutes in. Such a unique style of playing. And his song "Raving Raven" the closer is my favourite on here. Such a cool tune starting out as the most jazziest track on here but it's that calm and how they come out of it that blew me away. The other musician that has so impressed me is Charlie Mariano. His composing skills and his playing on that Indian instrument called a Nagasvaram is incredible. I mean he plays soprano sax a lot and other saxes but he really brings a ethnic vibe to the proceedings with that Indian horn. So that song I mentioned earlier "Raga Yagapriya" is where Charlie struts his Indian stuff. Great track and a top three with Mangelsdorff's closer and tough to pick that third track but I think Weber's "Seriously Deep" tune will be that third top three number.

Almost forgot to mention that the opener which is divided into three parts and was written by Wolfgang Dauner and it features his son Florian playing drums on that third section called "African Dance" with his heavy style here. This would be the first album Florian would play on. I think it was 5 years after this before he was back on another album but man he has carved a career for himself commercially playing with many popular bands on the World's biggest stages. So cool to hear him here first. Still I'm glad that Jon Hiseman is the main drummer because he is a beast. Love his work.

Another solid 4 star album from this rather large ensemble.

 Live in Berlin by UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE,THE album cover Live, 1981
4.08 | 5 ratings

BUY
Live in Berlin
The United Jazz + Rock Ensemble Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars This is live album number two by this band recorded live in Berlin in 1981. Previous live album was "Live Im Schutzenhaus" released in 1977. Only lineup change was to add a tenth member in Kenny Wheeler who plays both trumpet and flugelhorn making him the third person in this band to play these two instruments along with Ian Carr and Ack Van Rooyen. Sax belongs to Barbara Thompson and Charlie Mariano while Albert Mangeldorff adds trombone and thankyou BaldJean for educating me on this man after embarrassingly saying I had no idea who he was. Red faced because all these musicians are World class so I should have looked him up. The liner notes shows who solos on each track and the only musician who solos more than Mangelsdorff is Mariano and that's saying something with this talented crew. Mariano by the way impresses me just as much with his compositions as he does with his playing. Wolfgang Dauner on keyboards, Eberhard Weber on bass, Jon Hiseman drums and Volker Kreigel on guitar.

What an entertaining release this is, some variety here too. Man so many highlights but lets start with my top three tracks. First off Mariano's "Red Room" which is also the longest piece on here. The crowd by the way can be very vocal but they know their music so it's actually a positive. Mariano solos here on his soprano sax and he's on fire at one point. Actually that sax, bass and drums bit sounds incredible. Mangelsdorff solos before 5 1/2 minutes after a bass solo. Hiseman sounds amazing here on the kit by the way. The crowd roars when we get bass only 7 1/2 minutes in. Piano joins in then eventually drums.

"Out Of The Long Dark" by Ian Carr is a top three. A melancholic track not so surprisingly, quite subdued. Kriegel solos on this one and along with the bass and piano leads the way early. Horns arrive sort of slowly pulsing. Love the sound of this one. Final top three is "South India Line". Man hearing Mariano on that ethnic horn live is an experience. I was laughing at one point I was so impressed. Bass solo too on this one.

Not quite as good as the first live album in my opinion but it's close. Both are deserving to be part of every person's Jazz collection for sure.

 The Break Even Point by UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE,THE album cover Studio Album, 1979
3.94 | 8 ratings

BUY
The Break Even Point
The United Jazz + Rock Ensemble Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Artik

4 stars Oh I'm surprised nobody reviewed this one before. So I'll do the honours :) It's their third record and at the same third I ever heard from them. I was dragged to the band by Jon Hiseman (Colosseum) and Ian Carr (Nucleus) but frankly the whole ensemble is brilliant. I'm happy to hear on their third lp they stand firmly by the jazz rock principles regardles of the times (there aren't many good prog records from 1979!) when everybody were lowering their standards to please record companies and wider audience. There is no vocals here, only very nicely executed jazz rock with big band arrangements and with enough of variety to make the listening experience interesiting. There is fierce brass section here and there with some calmer moments to a good measure, but never cheesy, (Keny G it isn't!) and even one very good spanish-tinged track. If you like brass rock with quite a lot of soloing You should be more than pleased with this record and with this band in general. 4 stars.
 LIVE IM SCHÜTZENHAUS by UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE,THE album cover Live, 1977
4.03 | 8 ratings

BUY
LIVE IM SCHÜTZENHAUS
The United Jazz + Rock Ensemble Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars This was the very first recording by THE UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE and it's a live one from Germany in 1977. A nine piece band here but this is a group who's lineup changed throughout the years. In existence until 2002 I believe. Eberhard Weber was responsible for putting this band together and it's not a surprise he has Jon Hisemen on drums. The former GREENSLADE member was also in ET CETERA a band Weber was part of and keyboardist Wolfgang Dauner who's on here too. What a band! I mean the band ET CETERA. We also get fellow Germans Albert Mangelsdorff on trombone and I have no idea who he is. I do know the guitarist Volker Kriegel quite well. That's the German content then add Ack Van Rooyen on trumpet and flugelhorn and no I don't know him. Barbara Thompson on flute and sax along with fellow British members Ian Carr and Jon Hisemen. Hisemen also played with Barbara Thompson. How about American Charlie Mariano on sax and that nadaswaram giving this album an ethnic vibe at least on one song. Killer lineup but how's the music you ask?

My favourite song by far on here is "Hey Day" an Ian Carr's composition that steals the show. This was also true of their first studio album "Teamwork" where Ian's song "Gone With The Weed" stood above the rest. I love that guy. "Hey Day" sounds like it could have been on one of those early NUCLEUS albums, it's that good. The melancholy and insane trumpet work from Ian makes this a must hear for NUCLEUS fans like me. Mariano's sole composition is called "South Indian Line" with that nadaswaram giving this a very East Indian vibe but I really like this one. An intense number at times with Barb on flute. Volker Kriegel wrote a couple of tracks and the guitarist is so talented. I have a few of his albums. He made the opener "Circus Gambit" and "Hypnotic Pignose". I like the way the opener builds then the horns come in blasting. I like how inventive those horns are later in this song. The latter track Volker did is all about the energy. Love the bass here too. Dauner created "Steps Of M.C. Escher" and it's all about the horns and piano. Dauner composed the final two tracks as well.

I appreciate this more than the first studio album they recorded. Again Ian Carr is just so talented but then so is the whole band.

 LIVE IM SCHÜTZENHAUS by UNITED JAZZ + ROCK ENSEMBLE,THE album cover Live, 1977
4.03 | 8 ratings

BUY
LIVE IM SCHÜTZENHAUS
The United Jazz + Rock Ensemble Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by WFV

4 stars A top notch live record from a top notch collective. Those fluent in the 70's Euro jazz scene have certainly heard of a number of musicians on this album, in fact it's a laundry list of luminaries. With a roster like this one might think the record a convoluted mess. No way! The best euro jazzers know it's the space between the notes that matters more than the notes themselves. Take the best of Eberhard Weber and add a slight rock bent with more honking horns and you get really the collision of jazz and rock, where it doesn't really melt together like a Return to Forever but the two forces kind of glide next to eachother like Jeremy Steig. I'd recommend this to any seasoned jazz fusion listener and listening to this live show is a great way to spend an evening, especially if you've been gorging on Weber, Kriegel, Dauner, Carr, Mariano, or Manglesdorff records.
Thanks to alucard for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.