Hermann Szobel
is/was a pianist and composer. He produced and recorded one Jazz Fusion
album, titled "Szobel," at the age of 18, demonstrating, in the words of
a "Down Beat" reviewer (9 September 1976), "a conception and technique
far in advance of most musicians twice his age." According to the artist
biography included with promotional copies of the album, Szobel was
born in Vienna in 1958 and was "a child prodigy who began his classical
training at the age of six" who "spent the majority of his practicing
hours on pieces by Chopin." The bio states that pianists Martial Solal
and Keith Jarrett were two major influences on his work. Szobel is a
nephew of the late rock-concert promoter Bill Graham. "Szobel" features
extremely complicated compositions comparable to those of Frank Zappa.
The music is jazz-based but contains elements of rock and Western
classical music. Szobel's impressive piano virtuosity is noticeable
throughout the album. The other musicians on "Szobel" are Michael
Visceglia on bass, Bob Goldman on drums, Dave Samuels on percussion
including marimba and vibraphone, and Vadim Vyadro on tenor sax,
clarinet, and flute. Obscure even when it was released (on Arista
Records) in 1976, "Szobel" was issued on CD by Laser's Edge in 2012.
Hermann Szobel disappeared from the music world after this album and has
never been heard from again. Line-up / Musicians Hector Zazou/bass David Samuels/Vibraphone,Marimba,Percussion Michael Visceglia/drums Hermann Szobel/Piano Vadim Vyadro/Saxophone,Flute,Clarinet Discography(Album) Szobel 1976
1.Mr. Softee 2.The Szuite 3.Between 7 & 11 4.Transcendental Floss 5.New York City, 6 AM
