Water to Water Stephan-Max Wirth Quintet

• 1 Pacific Gold 04:02
• 2 Wave under Water 07:00
• 3 Dancing the Boat 07:59
• 4 Saudade 06:48
• 5 Coast to Coast 08:17
• 6 Water to Water 07:05
• 7 Peak of the Ocean 07:08
• 8 Lost Islands 07:48
• Total Runtime 56:07

Info for Water to Water

With his new quintet project, renowned saxophonist and composer Stephan-Max Wirth opens another fascinating chapter in his artistic career. After decades of musical work in various configurations—ranging from his trio and quartet to the *STEPHAN-MAX WIRTH EXPERIENCE* (an ensemble honored with accolades such as the "German Record Critics' Award")—he now presents *Water to Water*, an acoustic counterpart to his electric band. The quintet unfolds as an ensemble characterized by spaciousness and warmth, creating an environment that fosters freedom and melodic collective improvisation.

*Water to Water* is not merely the title of the new album, but also a musical metaphor. Even during the compositional process, Wirth sensed how the elements of water, the sea, and waves began to manifest in his thoughts—embedded within the shimmering timbre of a vibraphone and the profound warmth of a double bass, and united with dynamic drums and a virtuoso guitar.

"Pacific Gold" and "Water to Water" are just two examples of the impressive interplay the band brings to the stage during their improvisations—a perfect symbiosis of sonic precision and free expression. The quintet—comprising such high-caliber musicians as Frank Wingold (guitar), Franz Bauer (vibraphone), Lisa Hoppe (double bass), and Johannes Metzger (drums)—demonstrates a remarkable depth of complexity and musical breadth.

The quintet’s lineup highlights Wirth’s skill in selecting musicians who harmonize not only stylistically but also on a personal level. Frank Wingold, with his extensive experience in both the European and international jazz scenes, was the first musician Wirth knew he wanted for the ensemble. The search for the remaining band members—all highly sought-after musicians on the international stage—took approximately one year. An extraordinary challenge, given that the musicians travel extensively—both throughout Europe and across the globe. Yet, ultimately, they came together and now present the fruits of their collaboration on stage and on the CD *Water to Water*.

*Water to Water* is also the title of a poem by the Nobel Laureate in Literature, José Saramago. This poem—*Água que à água torna* (literally: Water that turns to water)—deeply inspired me. Gradually, compositions emerged, born of thoughts regarding the vastness of the sea; the sound of the sun reflecting in the waves; the fury of the storm and the boats reeling upon the water; the stillness of the wind; and the longing for distant horizons: *Pacific Gold*, *Wave under Water*, *Dancing the Boat*, *Saudade*, *Coast to Coast*, *Water to Water*, *Peak of the Ocean*, *Lost Island*... such are the titles of the compositions.

Stephan-Max Wirth, tenor & soprano saxophone, composition
Frank Wingold, guitar
Franz Bauer, vibraphone
Lisa Hoppe, bass
Johannes Metzger, drums

Stephan-Max Wirth
Studied jazz saxophone at the Academy of Arts in Arnhem, Netherlands. Bandleader since 1992—initially with the Stephan-Max Wirth Trio, Quartet, and Ensemble. For the past 20 years, he has led the Stephan-Max Wirth EXPERIENCE; new in 2025: the Stephan-Max Wirth Quintet. Toured throughout Europe. Creator of multimedia and genre-crossing projects such as "Illumination" (featuring overtone singing), "MYTHOS" (featuring German chanson), and "DADA Republic!" (combining film, dance, and music)—the latter of which premiered at the JazzFest Berlin. Released 21 albums under his own name, featuring more than 120 original compositions; received a nomination for the JazzEcho award and the German Record Critics' Award. Named "CD of the Year" by DLF, and "CD of the Month" multiple times by NDR and MDR; featured in live radio broadcasts on RBB, BR, and others. 2025 marks the debut release of the Stephan-Max Wirth Quintet with the album "Water to Water."

Frank Wingold
Studied jazz and classical guitar at the Academy of Arts in Amsterdam. Currently serves as a Professor of Jazz Guitar at the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück and in Groningen (Netherlands). Winner of the Europe Jazz Contest and the Dutch Jazz Competition. Active as a bandleader, sideman, and composer for ensembles such as the Entangled Music Trio, Clairvoyance, Underkarl, and the Gassmann/Wingold Duo, as well as performing a solo program for 7-string guitar. Composes and produces music for film, theater, and radio plays. Has toured throughout Europe, South America, Russia, India, South Korea, and China.

Franz Bauer
Studied percussion in Munich, followed by studies in vibraphone in Berlin and at Berklee College of Music (Boston, USA). Has undertaken international tours in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut. His compositions have been performed in Russia and the United States. Performances at the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, the Reeperbahn Festival, and—with Chester Harlan—at the "Jazz on the Dnieper" festival (Dnipro, Ukraine).

Lisa Hoppe
Bassist and composer operating in the liminal space between jazz, free improvisation, and the singer-songwriter tradition. Studied double bass in Bremen and Bern. Lived and worked in New York; now based in Berlin. Leader of the band YSOP, which was nominated for the German Jazz Prize in 2024.

Johannes Metzger
Studied drums in Berlin and Hanover. Performed at festivals such as Elbjazz, JazzBaltica, the Leverkusener Jazztage, the Jazzkaar Festival (Tallinn), and NueJazz. Has performed with artists including Gilad Hekselman, Kit Downes, Gwilym Simcock, and Judy Niemack. Leads several ensembles under his own name. Winner of the Munich Jazz Prize, the Hanover Jazz Prize, the Future Sounds Contest, and the Burghausen Jazz Prize. Finalist for the Young German Jazz Prize.

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