Takes Listeners on Powerful Personal Musical Journey Chronicling Events Leading Up to His Family’s Captivity and Liberation during WW11 in Indonesia and Holland
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 his ability to play for the present while always keeping an eye on the past and future. 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 of the DBT,” 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, resulting mixtures of musical tension, eclectic based sounds and timelessly beautiful sound paintings, David Becker is able to transport the tragedy of his family from incarceration through liberation to the mind’s eye of the listener. Each of the individual compositions is also explained with short well written text in the accompanying 12 page CD booklet which also contains intimate family photos. “While it is often difficult to tell a story of human experience with instrumental music, I merely let the specific story guide me to the notes that seemed to reflect them best, or in some cases, the other way around” Becker states. This disaster and the resulting political shifts of force not only allowed the family of David Becker and thousands of others their liberation from captivity, it also saved their lives.
This is 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 his 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.
With BATAVIA Becker takes the listener on one of the most exceptional musical journeys of recent times. By telling this incredible story through his music, it is his greatest hope that his family and the thousands of people interned with them during that time will finally get the restitution they so deserve. “The Japanese Government has yet to take responsibility for what occurred,” And, it is my goal with this CD to bring attention to this terrible tragedy, which not many people know about, and begin to make inroads, particularly on behalf of my mom and her dear friend Edith who are still alive to tell the story.”
BATAVIA was recently released in Europe to high critical acclaim. To quote a recent CD review in the publication NOZ in Germany, where Becker resides: “As to the recording quality and high level of musicianship of the David Becker Tribune, words are not necessary as it would be like bringing sand to the beach. Art comes from those who can!”
More About David Becker and the David Becker Tribune
David Becker is a two-time Grammy Nominated recording artist, who has released 10 recordings topping the jazz and contemporary music charts. He has led the DAVID BECKER TRIBUNE to a worldwide audience by performing in more than 18 countries. The DBT has shared the stage with such celebrated artists including Miles Davis, Chick Corea, and Michael Brecker. They have performed at some of the most prestigious venues throughout the world, including London's Barbicon Centre, Rotterdam's De Doelen, Munich's Olympia Halle, Buenos Aires’ Ateneo and New York’s Birdland. Becker has been called "one of the best jazz guitarists ever." Jazz Podium and Downbeat named him "A poet on the Jazz Guitar," Jazz Thing and Gitarre & Bass, “a virtuoso!” For more information go to www.davidbeckertribune.com.
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