Edgar Knecht is a jazz pianist who has created his own unique style. His début CD, “Good Morning Lilofee” (with four-piece combo), conquered the clubs and earned him invitations to international festivals. His treatment of the original melodies is refreshingly different from standard jazz arrangements: It is characterized by a free perception of the tunes, varied rhythms as well as unconventional harmonies. The same recipe for success underlies his second CD, “Dance On Deep Waters”, with which the Edgar Knecht Quartet is again going on tour, with many gigs lined up for spring and summer.

All eight of the songs in our edition offer agreeable and stimulating literature outside the classical and jazz pigeonholes for pianists everywhere, whether or not they dig German folksongs. Familiar tunes such as “Es freit der wilde Wassermann” or “Die Gedanken sind frei” gain a wholly new quality and pizzazz in his arrangements. Though based on the original songs, the pieces go far beyond them in form, harmony and rhythm, thereby turning the originals into top-quality jazz ballads. All the pieces have suggestions for improvised passages, usually with chords and written-out ostinato bass lines.

• Eight songs for piano
• Appealing literature
• Ad lib improvised parts