In many interviews, this New York drum-mer of Turkish-Armenian extraction hasbeen asked time after time for anecdotesabout Bill Evans, Paul Bley and Keith Jar-rett. His early days attract attention be-cause he was one of the few musicians whocan look back onexperiences withLennie Tristano,Tony Scott andColeman Haw-kins, who evenappeared withBillie Holidayand TheloniousMonk in hisyouth, andplayed withArlo Guthrie atthe legendaryWoodstock Fest-ival. The list ofgreat stars Mo-tian has playedwith goes on forpages; for someyears he has been reading through hispainstakingly documented annual calen-dars, to stir his memory and write his au-tobiography.It is not until 1972, at the age of 41, thatPaul Motian records his debut album underhis own name (»Conception Vessel«, withKeith Jarrett, Charlie Haden, Leroy Jen-kins, Sam Brown and Becky Friend). Man-fred Eicher from ECM gives the »sideman«the chance to realise his own musical con-cepts. Perhaps this late start in being ableto shape and fashion recordings under hisown direction leads to Motian continuingto be seen mainly as an important accom-panying musician. Further Motian pro-ductions and near-countless concert tours

and recordings with Keith Jarrett, CharlesLloyd and Charlie Haden’s »LiberationMusic Ensemble« follow, but over theyears, almost unnoticed, Motian developshis first trio, with Bill Frisell on guitar andJoe Lovano on saxophone. In the mid-

eighties, Motianbegins to collab-orate with Ste-fan Winter ’snewly foundedmusic companyJMT Production.In contrast tothe productionsup to this point,the first conceptalbums now ap-pear. The first is»Monk in Mo-tian«, played byhis trio, withguest musiciansGeri Allen onpiano andDewey Redman

on tenor saxophone. Next comes »BillEvans«, recorded without pianist by thePaul Motian Trio and guest bass playerMarc Johnson. Winter &Winter, founded atthe end of 1995, takes over and publishesall JMT’s productions, as well as continu-ing work already begun. In the ninetiesMotian presents his new group »The Elec-tric Bebop Band«, and interprets jazz com-positions by »Monk and Powell«. PaulMotian’s important third group »TetheredMoon«, with Masabumi Kikuchi on pianoand Gary Peacock on bass, dedicates itselfto »Kurt Weill«, and plays »Chansonsd'Édith Piaf« and »Experiencing Tosca«.Albums with his compositions and liveproductions from Toyko, recorded on his

Pau l Mo t i a n25 March 1931 – 22 November 2011

www.winterandwinter.com

! Robert Lewis

60th birthday, and live at the Village Van-guard, complete this picture of Paul Motian.Amidst all this work, there’s a special se-ries: »Paul Motian On Broadway«. Vol. 1got recorded in 1989, Vol. 2 in 1990, andVol. 3 in 1992. In 2006, for his 75th birth-day, Motian goes back to Broadway andpresents »Paul Motian On Broadway Vol. 4or the paradox of continuity« with hisgroup Trio 2000 + One, with Chris Potteron saxophone, Larry Grenadier on bass, thesinger Rebecca Martin, and pianist Masa-bumi Kikuchi. In 2009 Paul Motian recorded»Paul Motian On Broadway Vol. 5« withThomas Morgan on bass and saxophonplayer Loren Stillman plus Michaël Attias,sax and Masabumi Kikuchi, piano.In the years 2007, 2008 and 2010 Win-ter &Winter released »Live At The VillageVanguard« Volume I, II and III with ChrisPotter and Larry Grenadier plus Greg Osbyand Masabumi Kikuchi. In September 2010Stefan Winter produced his 21st leaderalbum with Paul Motion under the title»Windmills Of Your Mind« with guitaristBill Frisell, Thomas Morgan on bass andvocalist Petra Haden. This album wasmade to celebrate Paul Motian’s 80th birth-day in 2011. The title song is one of themost beautiful memories of Paul Motian.This album got released in late spring 2011,and on the 22nd of November 2011 PaulMotian passed away.The great art of variation and improvisa-tion is the great art of Paul Motian: he un-ravels themes, rhythms and harmonies,reducing, denaturing, and creating newthings that come so close to innermost ori-gins that unsuspected aspects of these hitsare revealed. Yet Motian is no stage dir-ector, moving the players around to createhis music: he doesn’t conduct, but sets upan environment in which the individualgifts of his musicians can develop unhin-dered. With a sure knack, he chooses as yetunknown musicians, just as Bill Frisell, JoeLovano, Brad Schoeppach, Kurt Rosenwin-kel or Chris Potter once were, bringing

them together with close colleagues suchGary Peacock, Charlie Haden, MasabumiKikuchi, Lee Konitz or Dewey Redman,and finding repertoire that seems as if itwas specially composed for this ensemble.His own compositions or 'texts' by KurtWeill, Harold Arlen, Giacomo Puccini orThelonious Monk are the themes for hisvariations. Every single recording bears thepersonal unmistakeable handwriting ofPaul Motian, however diverse the reper-toire and instrumentation. Sometimes PaulMotian’s arrangements and instructionsconsist merely of the request to forget thestructure of a song and become immersed

in its lyrics. His artistry in playing drums,snares and cymbals springs from an innerconviction that he should devote his entirebeing to serving and fulfilling music. Eachnote has its destiny and meaning; he leadsevents with an invisible hand, listeningand sometimes giving impulses withouteven touching a cymbal or drum.

WINTER &WINTER

! Robert Lewis

PAUL MOTIAN»THE WINDMILLS OF YOUR MIND«

Paul Motian: drumsBill Frisell: guitarPetra Haden: vocalsThomas Morgan: bass

"This album is further proof of the heights that music can reachwhen al l concerns of style and prowess are discarded.

Motian is brave and inst inct ive enough to dispense with technical peripheriesand just play what the music demands, moment by moment."

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

PAU L MOT I A N O N B ROA DWAY, VO LUM E 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5

»PAUL MOTIAN ON BROADWAY, VOL. 1«

Paul Motian: drumsJoe Lovano: tenor saxophoneBill Frisell: electr ic guitarCharlie Haden: bass

"How is it that certain art ists can transform the famil iarinto something unfamil iar, and with such del ightful results?"

DOWNBEAT

"… air-brushing melodies and improvis ing del icate ly chiming harmonies ."NEWSWEEK

Winter&Winter 910 182-2(released in 2011)

Winter&Winter 910 179-2(original ly released on JMT in 1989)

»PAUL MOTIAN ON BROADWAY, VOL. 2«

Paul Motian: drumsJoe Lovano: tenor saxophoneBill Frisell: electr ic guitarCharlie Haden: bass

"The band, needless to say, f i ts together so wel l you can't hear the joins …"JAZZWISE

»PAUL MOTIAN ON BROADWAY, VOL. 3«

Paul Motian: drumsLee Konitz: soprano and alto saxophones

Joe Lovano: tenor saxophoneBill Frisell: guitarCharlie Haden: bass

"Without nostalgic romantic isat ion Paul Motian’s Broadway is simply amazing,t imeless improvised music that unites tradit ion and modernism."

TAGESSPIEGEL

"Within jazz tradit ion of turning pop-tart tunes into small works of beauty,this ser ies by drummer Motian is a quiet masterwork. Guitar,

bass and drums team up to cast show-tunes into a shimmering mirage,against which two superb horn players sketch jagged l ines ."

WELCOMAT

Winter&Winter 910 180-2 (original lyreleased on JMT in 1990)

JMT Edit ion Winter&Winter919 055-2 (released in 1992)

»PAUL MOTIAN ON BROADWAY, VOL. 4 OR THE PARADOX OF CONTINUITY«

Trio 2000 + OnePaul Motian: drums · Chris Potter: saxophone · Larry Grenadier: bass

+Rebecca Martin: vocals · Masabumi Kikuchi: piano

Académie Charles Cros, Prix in Honorem 2006

"The piano quartets are small , chamber masterpieces…" DOWNBEAT

"[Motian ] may well be the nearest thing jazz has to Picasso."THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

»PAUL MOTIAN ON BROADWAY, VOL. 5«

Trio 2000 + TwoPaul Motian: drums · Thomas Morgan: bass · Loren Stillman: saxophone

+Michaël Attias: saxophone · Masabumi Kikuchi: piano

"The recording's curtain cal l , Frank Loesser's ‘Sue Me’ […] is simply divineas it del icate ly balances dissonance and harmony. Mirroring the entire set ,i t is a testament to the source material and Motian's own styl ist ic touchesin keeping the music relevant and contemporary. At nearly 80 years of age,

his vital i ty and art continue to inspire ."ALL ABOUT JAZZ.COM

Winter&Winter 910 125-2(released in 2006)

Winter&Winter 910 148-2(released in 2009)

PAU L MOT I A NL I V E AT T H E V I L L A G E VA N G UA R D

»PAUL MOTIAN TRIO AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD«— YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY HEART —

Joe Lovano: tenor saxophoneBill Frisell: guitarPaul Motian: drums

"Paul Motian’s longstanding trio is considered one of the greatestjazz bands of today, i f not al l t ime. […] This tr io has the abi l i ty to

move an audience with its emotive expression, and play with a synergyunmatched by any other working band."

ALL ABOUT JAZZ.COM

»PAUL MOTIAN TRIO AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD«— SOUND OF LOVE —

Bill Frisell: electr ic guitarJoe Lovano: tenor saxophone

Paul Motian: drums

"… a nuanced, conversat ional dynamic has always informed Motian's tr io ,and on this […] CD […] there are several crystal l ine examples of i t ."

JAZZIZ

JMT Edit ion Winter&Winter919 080-2 (released in 1995)

Winter&Winter 910 008-2(released in 1997)

»PAUL MOTIANLIVE AT THE VILLAGEVANGUARD, VOL. I«

Winter&Winter 910 133-2(released in 2007)

Trio 2000 + TwoPaul Motian: drumsChris Potter: tenor saxLarry Grenadier: bass

+Greg Osby: alto sax

Masabumi Kikuchi: piano

"This recording is anothersigni f icant example ofMotian's unqiue art

and ongoingcontribution to jazz."ALL ABOUT JAZZ.COM

»PAUL MOTIANLIVE AT THE VILLAGEVANGUARD, VOL. II«

Winter&Winter 910 143-2(released in 2008)

Trio 2000 + TwoPaul Motian: drumsChris Potter: tenor saxLarry Grenadier: bass

+Greg Osby: alto saxMat Maneri: viola

Masabumi Kikuchi: piano

"This is indoor music :music for contemplat ing,s i t t ing and smoking,lett ing it smolder inthe ears and grow . "ALL ABOUT JAZZ.COM

»PAUL MOTIANLIVE AT THE VILLAGEVANGUARD, VOL. III«

Winter&Winter 910 172-2(released in 2010)

Trio 2000 + TwoPaul Motian: drumsChris Potter: tenor saxLarry Grenadier: bass

+Mat Maneri: viola

Masabumi Kikuchi: piano

"I t is the programming ofthe album that makes itextremely rewarding [… ]Motian al lows the band tobuild the energy organically."

ALL ABOUT JAZZ.COM

! Robert Lewis

»MONK IN MOTIAN«JMT Edit ion Winter&Winter 919 020-2 (released in 1988)

Paul Motian: drumsJoe Lovano: tenor saxophone · Bill Frisell: electr ic guitarDewey Redman: tenor saxophoneGeri Allen: piano

"For edge - o f - th e - s e a t exc i t ement th e on ly pas sage t o t opi s Fr i s e l l ’s due t wi th Motian in the middle of ‚Trinkle Tinkle’. This is superb semi-freeplaying: fast , frantic , and just about under control . I t leaves you wishing that ithad happened more often – that there wer more instances where the Monk tunes wereused simply as a short cut to this kind of heat and original i ty ." WIRE MAGAZINE

"… few bands have captured the music ’s wit , inte l l igence and deep-seated eccen-tr ic i ty so wel l .“ THE NEW YORK TIMES

PAUL MOTIAN »BILL EVANS«Winter&Winter 910 166-2 (original ly released on JMT 1990)

Paul Motian: drumsBill Frisell: guitarJoe Lovano: tenor saxophoneMarc Johnson: bass"It is the way they find a similar kind of freedom within formthat is this a lbum's del ight and why it can be returned tot ime and again to hear again with fresh ears ." JAZZWISE

"Mot i an i s a s up r eme l y nuan c e d d rumme r who s e p l a y i ng s e ems t o bu r s t w i t hpianist ic color . " THE PROVIDENCE SUNDAY JOURNAL

»TETHERED MOON: MASABUMI KIKUCHI,GARY PEACOCK, PAUL MOTIAN PLAY KURT WEILL«JMT Edit ion Winter&Winter 919 076-2 (released in 1995)

Tethered MoonMasabumi Kikuchi: pianoGary Peacock: acoust ic bassPaul Motian: drums

"Tethered Moon sugges t a lunar re f l e c t i on captured in a dark poo l , an e lus ive ,haunting image borne out by the music of the tr io […] Weil l ’s music approachedwith unfettered imaginat ion, spacious , f l exib le and intense . The moods shi f t l ikesunlight and clouds on a landscape ." THE IRISH TIMES

H OM AG E S TO T H E L O N I O U S MONK ,B I L L E VA N S , K U R T W E I L L , B U D P OW E L L ,

É D I T H P I A F A N D G I A C OMO P U C C I N I

»PAUL MOTIAN AND THE ELECTRIC BEBOP BANDPLAY MONK & POWELL«Winter&Winter 910 045-2 (released in 1999)

Kurt Rosenwinkel, Steve Cardenas: electr ic guitarsChris Potter, Chris Cheek: tenor saxophonesSteve Swallow: electr ic bass , Paul Motian: drums

"Mot i an ' s d rumming ba l anc e s th e a r t o f sub t l e t y w i thcreat ive f la ir, as his shi f t ing textures blend into the instrumental interplay whilemoving with an eclecticism worthy of the material's mercurial composers." BILLBOARD

TETHERED MOON »CHANSONS D’ÉDITH PIAF«Winter&Winter 910 048-2 (released in 1999)

Tethered Moon: Masabumi Kikuchi: pianoGary Peacock: bass · Paul Motian: drums

"Thethered Moon […] remain an excit ing modernistcombustion." THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE

TETHERED MOON »EXPERIENCING TOSCA«Winter&Winter 910 093-2 (released in 2004)

Tethered MoonMasabumi Kikuchi: pianoGary Peacock: bassPaul Motian: drums

"Wi t h s o mu c h s i l e n c e o r a b r u p t n e s s f r om t h e p i a n o[Peacock and Motian ] create a continuity with combinations of pure texture andingeniously subtle rhythm, making the music crest and subside in free improvisation."THE NEW YORK TIMES

TETHERED MOONMASABUMI KIKUCHI (right )GARY PEACOCK (middle )

PAUL MOTIAN ( left )

! Robert Lewis

»PAUL MOTIANIN TOKYO«

JMT Edit ion Winter&Winter919 052-2 (released in 1991)

Paul Motian: drumsBill Frisell: guitarJoe Lovano: tenor sax

"With his f luid sense oft ime and cat-eared atten-t ion to dynamics , PaulMotian has been, s ince thelate Fi f t i es , one of the mostindividual drummers injazz . Paul Motian in Tokyoprove again that withprec is ion, wit and a bal lsysonic fee l , extremesubt le ty and lyr ic ism cansidestep the New Age ."JAZZ NOTES

"Th i s t r i o h a s b e e n i n ac-t ion for ten years , and itfeatures in drummer PaulMotian, guitarist Bi l lFrise l l and saxophonist JoeLovano three of the mostunusual improvisers draw-ing on jazz and rock mate-r ia ls but charging themwith unique contemporarylife." THE GUARDIAN

"Like a dream by Monet ,this is all color." MUSICIAN

PAUL MOTIAN ANDTHE ELECTRIC BEBOPBAND »FLIGHT OF THEBLUE JAY«

Winter&Winter 910 009-2(released in 1997)

Kurt Rosenwinkel, BradSchoeppach: e-guitarsChris Potter, Chris Cheek:tenor saxophoneSteve Swallow: e-bassPaul Motian: drums

"This live CD is atmospher-ic , energet ic and of fers anexcel lent tr io ."JAZZ & MORE

"[Paul Motian ] is at theheart of matters in everysense ." JAZZWISE

TETHERED MOON»FIRST MEETING«

Winter&Winter 910 016-2(released in 1997)

Tethered MoonMasabumi Kikuchi: pianoGary Peacock: bassPaul Motian: drums

"Peacock and Motian canwell be cal led geniuses al-ready. What they show herein the tr io can be countedamong the best what threemusicians can present ."AUGUSTO

! John Rogers

»PAUL MOTIANTRIO 2000 + ONE«

Winter&Winter 910 032-2(released in 1998)

Paul Motian: drumsChris Potter: tenor saxSteve Swallow: electr ic bassLarry Grenadier:acoust ic bassMasabumi Kikuchi: piano

"Inspir ing contemporaryjazz without expiry date ."JAZZTHETIK

"Paul Motian gives jazz[…] a unique coherent ex-pression."RONDO

"How Motian propels aband while s imultaneouslymining such a minimalapproach is part of hisgenius …"THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE

PAUL MOTIAN ANDTHE E.B.B.B.»EUROPE«

Winter&Winter 910 063-2(released in 2000)

Paul Motian: drumsAnders Christensen: e-bassChris Cheek, Pietro Tonolo:saxophonesBen Monder, Steve Cardenas:electr ic guitars

"Motian is among the great ,individual voices on hischosen instrument, with anadvanced polyrhythmicconcept that inspires andsupports …"JAZZ NOW.COM

"Europe is an enjoyable ,twisty mixture of past ,present and future , withenough sonic wrinklesto keep it fresh."JAZZMATAZZ.COM

PAUL MOTIAN ANDTHE E.B.B.B.»HOLIDAY FORSTRINGS«

Winter&Winter 910 069-2(released in 2002)

Paul Motian: drumsAnders Christensen: e-bassChris Cheek, Pietro Tonolo:saxophonesBen Monder, Steve Cardenas:electr ic guitars

"A gourmet CD, even forspoi led ears ."FONO FORUM

"I t 's a dreamscape, and it'sdiabol ical in the way itgets under your skin evenwhen you try to dodge itsimpact ."DOWNBEAT

! Robert Lewis

FURTHER RELEASES ON WINTER &WINTER JMT EDITIONWHICH ARE SOLD OUT

ALLEN, HADEN, MOTIAN »IN THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON«JMT Edit ion Winter&Winter 919 027-2 (released in 1989)Geri Allen: piano · Charlie Haden: bass · Paul Motian: drumsGuest: Juan Lazaro Mendolas: quena (bamboo f lute)

"This may well be the best , most equal ly balanced, and lyrical lysat is fying trio currently before the publ ic ." — DOWNBEAT

"In The Year Of The Dragon is music for the ages ." — ROLLING STONE

»PAUL MOTIAN & THE ELECTRIC BEBOP BAND«JMT Edit ion Winter&Winter 919 061-2 (released in 1993)Paul Motian: drums · Joshua Redman: tenor saxophoneBrad Schoeppach: electr ic guitar · Kurt Rosenwinkel: electr ic guitarStomu Takeishi: electr ic bass

"[Motian’s ] … loose , f lowing sense of t ime and exceptional lymelodic conception provide the greatest thri l ls ." DAYTON DAILY NEWS

"This album is l ike the f irst spring day in March: fresh, c learand putt ing the spir i ts to l i fe ." RONDO

"What [Motian ] has to say is always intriguing, new and unheard. […]Bebop fans wil l be enthused. And al l others– after l istening to this recording – must become Bebop fans ." BODY & SOUL

PAUL MOTIAN TRIO »TRIOISM«JMT Edit ion Winter&Winter 919 067-2 (released in 1994)Paul Motian: drums · Bill Frisell: guitar · Joe Lovano: tenor saxophoneplus Dewey Redman: tenor saxophone

"… Trioism reminds the listener of the restraint, sensitivity and brilliantinterplay that gives this formation the stamp of originality." JAZZ NOTES

PAUL MOTIAN AND THE ELECTRIC BEBOP BAND»REINCARNATION OF A LOVE BIRD«JMT Edit ion Winter&Winter 919 071-2 (released in 1994)Paul Motian: drums · Don Alias: percussion · Steve Swallow: bassKurt Rosenwinkel: guitar · Wolfgang Muthspiel: guitarChris Potter: alto and tenor saxophones · Chris Cheek: tenor saxophone

"With such an accomplished revisit of the tradition and two own electrifying pieces,Paul Motian is more inventive than many of the so-called avant-gardists." AUDIO