Rudi Mahall’s latest album, The Straight Horn of Rudi Mahall, released by Two Nineteen Records in 2024, pays tribute to Steve Lacy’s iconic 1961 album, The Straight Horn of Steve Lacy. Where Lacy led with his soprano sax, Mahall, a renowned German clarinetist from Globe Unity Orchestra and Die Enttäuschung, takes center stage with his B-flat clarinet. He collaborates with the Paris-Berlin Oùat trio—featuring pianist Simon Sieger (also of Art Ensemble of Chicago), double bassist Joel Grip, and drummer Michael Griener—to reinterpret jazz standards from luminaries like Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, and Eric Dolphy.
Mahall, known for his distinct clarinet and bass clarinet sound, emphasizes disciplined practice routines despite what he calls the clarinet’s enduring unpopularity in jazz circles. The album showcases Mahall’s prowess in navigating bebop classics such as Dizzy Gillespie’s “Bebop” and Tadd Dameron’s “Good Bait,” where his solos intricately weave through complex rhythmic patterns, reminiscent of Einstein’s theory of relativity.
Side A opens with a powerful rendition of “Bebop,” followed by Mahall’s playful interpretation of “Good Bait,” demonstrating his technical dexterity. The track “Sechseinhalb Brüder” creatively blends influences from Gerry Mulligan and Woody Herman’s saxophone sections, transforming into a dynamic musical journey. Mahall’s exploration culminates with Duke Ellington’s “The Mystery Song” and Bechet’s “Petit Fleur,” celebrating the clarinet’s expressive range from traditional to avant-garde jazz.
Side B delves deeper into jazz history with Mahall’s innovative take on Tadd Dameron’s “Hot House” and Lee Konitz’s “Subconscious-Lee,” bridging bebop and cool jazz sensibilities. His rendition of Pee Wee Russell’s “Pee Wee’s Blues” on bass clarinet draws comparisons to Eric Dolphy, highlighting Mahall’s versatility across different clarinet types. The album concludes with “In-stable Mates,” a spirited adaptation of Benny Golson’s “Stablemates,” showcasing the quartet’s cohesive improvisational style.
Through The Straight Horn of Rudi Mahall, Mahall and Oùat redefine classic jazz compositions, reaffirming the clarinet’s significance in shaping the genre’s evolution.
