Charlie Mariano - Halle Opera House 2002 (Live R

Two legendary West Coast alto saxophinists, Herb Geller and Charlie Mariano, reunited for this 2002 concert recording in Germany, perform a programme of classic jazz standards.

In the 1950s Geller and Mariano performed together on studio recordings by the likes of the Bill Holman Band and Quincy Jones. Their careers followed similar paths when Geller took over the saxophone chair in drummer Shelly Manne's group and Mariano moved on to new challenges including recording with Charles Mingus. Moving to Europe in the 1970s Mariano began to integrate world music infuences into his music.

Geller also made Germany his home taking up permanent positions in various radio big bands. He's recorded several albums for Hep and he welcomed the opportunity to play with his old colleague Mariano, who died in 2009. This album is a rare example of Mariano playing straightahead jazz in his later years.

Personnel: Herb Geller, Charlie Mariano (alto saxophone) Burkhard Buggy Braune (piano), Thoms Biller (bass)