Mainz04 - Faces

Mainz 04 is composed of four saxophonists who have been playing together for almost twenty years.

The title track was inspired by the late piano pieces of Johannes Brahms. Bela Bartok inspired La Reference and heavy metal Reeds of Steel and Glory. Mainz 04 has a musician with Steph Winzen who provides the basis for the ensemble sound. The idea for Clouds came to the saxophonist while jogging in the rain, when she was fascinated by the changing colors in the sky. In Mainz, Winzen has long since gained official recognition as Mainz City Musician, although the saxophonist began her career as a child on the flugelhorn.

Winzen has played with various orchestras and released a solo CD with contemporary music. In 2019, she was chosen by the State Music Council of Rhineland-Palatinate as patron of the saxophone as the Instrument of the Year in Rhineland-Palatinate. Her co-musician on alto saxophone has been leading the quartet Habrecht4 for ten years. Soprano saxophonist Lind is equally at home in jazz and classical styles, and Jung on tenor saxophone is not only a radiant soloist, but also embodies the collective spirit of the ensemble. Contemporary influences from classical to metal exemplify what is possible with a saxophone quartet. At the same time, the sound of Mainz 04 is so sensual that Faces becomes an acoustic experience even for those jazz fans who understand little about the subtleties of the arrangements for four saxophones. Mainz 04 have now ventured into a studio after almost twenty years, and the result proves that sometimes that which lasts a long time can actually age to perfection.