“This is fun and shows the metamorphosis of a sideman who has a lot to offer.” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 08.11.2021)
With I AM, Altfrid M. Sicking has fulfilled a long-cherished wish during the pandemic forced break: After decades as a sideman, permanent soloist in the Götz Alsmann Band and as a university lecturer in Münster and at the Folkwang in Essen, the vibraphonist and marimba specialist has rounded up a few favorite colleagues to record an album under his own name exclusively with original compositions.
As a busy concert and studio musician for the WDR Bigband, Charlie Mariano or Romy Camerun, among others, Sicking knows how to deal with diverse styles and genres, so the restrained arrangements are very consciously laid out terrains for relaxed soloistic development.
The basic quartet à la “Modern Jazz” with full-grip piano voicings (Sebastian Altekamp), walking bass (Ingo Senst) and very swinging, sometimes funky accented drums (Christian Schoenefeldt) is occasionally complemented by two smooth brass players (Christian Kappe on trumpet and flugelhorn as well as Martin Classen on tenor sax) and – when it gets danceable – by longtime Alsmann Band colleague Markus Paßlick in the middle of the percussion.
Sicking gives the classic ambience between swing and neo-cool a stylistically confident update: balladic, up-tempo numbers with bop appeal and movement-promoting Latin infusions. A round, lively album with vintage charm recorded live over two days with audible joy of playing.
More Releases:

Mia Brentano’s River of Memories. A Mystery Trip

Adi Becker – “Babbelou”

Gregor Lisser Double Quartet – “On Eleven”

Patrick Deltenre, Ivan Paduart – “Hand in Hand”

Big Band der Deutschen Oper Berlin – “A Soul Journey”

Gisela Berndt & Band – “Nach Norden”

Miriam Ast & Victor Gutierrez – “Secret Songs”

Reinberg – “Old Friend”

Paul Heller meets Roman Schwaller

Zurich Jazz Orchestra & Steffen Schorn – “Three Pictures”

Peter Hedrich – “New Hope”

Mia Brentano’s HIDDEN SEA – 20 Songs for 2 Pianos

Denis Gäbel – “The Good Spirits”

Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra – “Kopfkino”

Ivan Paduart & Quentin Dujardin – “Catharsis”

Paul Heller – “Good Times”

Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra – “Hits! Vol. 1”

Ann Malcolm / Florian Favre Duo – “ Essence”

Partyka Brass – “The Day After Christmas”
