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| David Becker Announces New CD Batavia i For more than two decades guitarist, composer and producer David Becker has continued to define himself as one of the best and most unique voices in contemporary jazz guitar by combining diverse influences and a passion for the new and different. And, in conjunction with the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombings in Japan, August 6, he announces the release of his latest recording, BATAVIA, with his world renowned trio the David Becker Tribune, and takes us on his most personal journey yet. "This is by far the most personal and challenging project we have endeavored during our 25 year recording history, " states Becker. "All of the compositions have been directly influenced by or written about the experiences of my mother's family in Indonesia and Holland during WWII. She, along with her mother, younger brother and stepfather spent four years in a concentration camp in Indonesia, while her father, older brother and sister were under siege in Holland." With 13 instrumental tracks, Becker transports the tragedy of his family from incarceration through liberation to the mind's eye of the listener. Each of the individual compositions is explained with short well written text in the 12 page CD booklet which also contains intimate family photos. "The Japanese Government has yet to take responsibility for what occurred, " states Becker. "With the release of BATAVIA, it is my goal to bring attention to this terrible tragedy and begin making inroads to get my family, (particularly my mom and her dear friend Edith who are still alive to tell the story), and the thousands of people interned with them the restitution they so deserve." This is a highly emotional recording and it is precisely this spiritual force that makes it such a powerful attraction, from which the listener cannot escape. Accompanied as usual in the DBT are David's brother Bruce on drums and Bolle Diekmann on bass. The CD also features some very special guest artists including the Yellowjackets' Russell Ferrante on piano. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |