Magog
Live At Montreux Jazz Festival 1973
With the hindsight of 50 years, Klaus Koenig recalls the formation of his jazz group in the winter of 1972-1973. The Jazz Live Trio, composed of Peter Frei, Peter Schmidlin and Koenig, initially accompanied soloists for Swiss radio. The desire to create an original project led to the integration of Hans Kennel, Andy Scherrer and Paul Haag, each bringing varied influences. At the time, jazz had divergent currents: traditionalist, opportunist and futurist, but the group sought to bring these styles closer together. They advocated freedom in music, while recognizing the need for structure. Their method of collective improvisation, without a leader, created a creative tension. After a test concert, they were invited to the Montreux Jazz Festival, where their success surprised everyone. The group opted for the ECM label instead of Evasion, which allowed for studio production. Their typically European music found a positive echo, offering a reconciliation between the stylistic differences of jazz. The Magog period was enriching and significant in their musical journey, illustrating Luigi Nono's motto: "There are no paths, you simply have to walk."