Mixed Horn-Trio: 3 musicians – 11 instruments

This „quintessence of a Styrian brass-band“ was founded in 1990 in Graz and has since then survived all the ups and downs of the Austrian cultural situation. The group has performed many concerts in Austria and Germany, and their participation at festivals has been very successful.
This kind of music fits also very well to acompany events like readings, lectures, congresses,...

The main artistic interest of the trio is to use and combine rhythm, harmony, melody and formality of traditional material from different music fields in an innovativ, original and last but not least humorous way.
During the last years this artistic interest was focused mainly on the traditional Austrian folkmusic, realized by these unusual instruments and the unorthodox concept, which is mainly based on own compositions and arrangements.

„Groove“! - The basic interest of the trio is easier to describe in one word, than to to realise with these instruments. In this way the Smart Metal Hornets see themselves not only as activists of a musical insider-minority, but they also want to be unterstood by the (normal) music-interested audience.

Until now two CD-productions of Smart Metal Hornest have been realized in trio, one CD in quartett (see: discography/start)

SMH have performed, inter alia, at: Jazzfest Vienna, Jazzsommer Graz, Bluval-Festival, Treffpunkt Kultur (live TV-show, Austria), upon invitation by the Austrian Chancellor at the Austrian State-award ceremony, 2006.

Reviews:

• Die Presse („Jazzfest Wien“): „ ...a trio like a natural phenomenon!“
• Steirerkrone (Jazzsommer Graz):“.... a throughout very entertaining, melodic/rhythmic and demanding jazz was performed.“
• 'Mein Bezirk'( Jazzfestival Saalfelden 2009): "The Concert of the Austrian Jazz-group 'Smart Metal Hornets' at the Location 'Alten Schmiede' turned out to be a very special sensation for eyes and ears. Music-lovers of different nations were present to experience the groove of this uncommon Trio around Christoph Wundrak.'

Sometimes SMH perform also music in cooperation with theatre productions: (Pickup-Theatre, Graz, Kellertheater, Graz).

Actual musicians & instruments:

• Johannes „Joe“ Harpf (since 1996): baritione-, tenor-, sopranosax, bass-clarinet
• Klemens Pliem (since 1993): tenor-, soprano-, altosax, altoclarinet, www.klemenspliem.com
• Christoph Wundrak: cornet, flugelhorn, euphonium, comp./arrang.

Links:

• Christoph Wundrak on MySpace
• video on CyCast
• videos on YouTube                    Listening example: Styrian Hornets
                                                                            Souly Movie
                                                                            Butterfly-Samba

Readings with the Styrian actor and director BERND SRACNIK: actor since 1987: Steinbauer & Dobrowsky, Theater im Keller, Next Liberty...
Cooperation since 2001, several perfomances in Austria.
Current shows:
1) "At the Cafe": Reading of Austrian writers like Alfred Polgar, Friedrich Torberg, Johann Nestroy Josef Weinheber and the music of Deep Purple, P. Simon, EAV, G. Bronner, W. Ambros, C. Wundrak,...

Press-Review: Kleine Zeitung: „... finest literature and music-revue.“

Listening example: Im Kaffeehaus

Kritik: Steirerkrone

2) "Der Knochenmann" by Wolf Haas. The styrian „fried chicken“- thriller with fitting soundtrack by CW in two different versions: As One-act Shortversion of the book, or as Trilogy(complete book)on three different days as arranged with the promoter.

Press-Review: Kleine Zeitung: „...simply genious!“

Listening example: Car-chase

The music of the trio is supported and enriched by the extraordinary, sensitive and demanded musician from Leipzig, WOLFRAM DIX (percussions, wave drum, frame drum, vocals). Dix’ artistic carreer has been eventful and has brought him together with important musicians of the international music-scene: Joe Zawinul, Nina Hagen, Charlie Mariano, Nigel Kennedy, and others.
Successful concerts in whole of Europe and in Tunesia. www.wolframdix.com
The quartett SMH und Dix has been founded in 2001 and has successfully performed concerts in Austria and Germany and has published one CD in 2007. (Discography)

Listening example: Locomotive Breath   

SMH & DIX on Youtube: Five Hot Dogs

                                  Bloodsucker

The Co-Operation between SMH and the Samba-Percussion Group GRUPO UM('Alegria da Vida' at that time)from Graz started in 1998. For this Projekt CW writes special Compositions and Arrangements which are based on traditional Percussion-Grooves from Southamerica and Afrika. Also in this case the exotic basis-material of the compositions is not exampted by the alpine(styrian)musicculture. These special pieces are only performed in fusion of SMH and GRUPO UM.
So far there are two CDs which came out of this Co-Operation(see Discografie)

Listening-example: Styrian Funk

Weblinks:

• www.afrobrasil.at
• Grazamba bei YouTube
• Christoph Wundrak bei YouTube

ALFRED LANG:                    Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Es-Trumpet, Kazoo-Trumpet, Slide-Trumpet

CHRISTOPH WUNDRAK:        Eufonium, Tuba, Slide-Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trumpet

Between the two brassplayers Alfred Lang and CW there are some very constructive communities and completions - and that not only in the field of music. This surprising perception was the reason for this cooperation, which started in 2009 and is characterized by spontaneous humorous communication and a lot of playing-joy.  Stilistically is allowed everything you can find in the field of free (experimental) improvisation, Jazz, Rock, Blues and (alpine) folkmusic. Beyond that you have calculate with additional surprise-effects and - sounds. This tension which grows out of the combination of these elements is characteristic for the musical message of the LAWUZWIO.

Kleine Zeitung('Herbstzeitlose' 2009):'... So these two brass-players Christoph Wundrak and Alfred Lang lead in a very subtile way through their manifold programm. This Duo, that obviously enjoys to experiment, was a pure discovery at it's debut in the WIST-location.' (O.Klammer)

Listening example: Blechwork # 1

Solo-Project of Christoph Wundrak
trumpet, flugelhorn , euphonium

Since 2003 CW has been performing also as soloist, either as a concert (planed sequence of pieces) or – and this happens more often - improvisations during the opening of exhibitions, in which CW is mainly spontaniously inspired by the objects or paintings. CW can move from objekt to objekt.
It is possibile to combine both concepts.

Listening-example: CW-Funk

Imagine the Austrian traditional music group „Die Kernbuam“ is travelling to Louisiana, then further on to Kingston Jamaica and they are inspired by the music they hear – then you’ll get the music of the „Kaischlabuam“- perhaps.... Styrian dialect meets Luisiana, New Orleans, Country and Reaggy Grooves.

With an euphonium, a guitar and a jazz-guitar this trio will sing you with no mercy the Austrian(Styrian) Blues.
Since april 2006 they have already attaced the ears of many people, mainly with own compositions or covers from originals by Hank Williams, Muddy Waters, s.o. .                       

Sometimes the Kaischlabuam perform with the styrian Harmonicaplayer Martin Burböck

So far one CD was recorded: 'Net Va Do'(Extraplatte) Details on 'Discographie'

Charly Kainz: voc., Rh-guitar, bottleneck-dobro, foot-percussion, lyrics, comp.
Robert Masser: Solo-(jazz-)-guitar, background-voc. www.honkytonkramblers.at
Christoph Wundrak: brass-bass (euphonium)

Listening-example: Postla-Blues                       www.kaischlabuam.at

Since 1992 there is a long vocational friendship between CW and the styrian cabarrettist/author/musician Leo Lukas. So CW enjoys the great honor, to work with Leo in his Jubilee-programm 'AUS DEM VOLLEN' ('Out of the plenty') on eufonium and cornett. He is one of three musicians, who alternate with each other in companying Leo. The content of this show is a cross-section of Leo's stagework the last 25 years, in which - beneath his souvereign lyric-performance - he plays guitar, different percussions ond the laptop.

www.knowme.at              Hörbeispiel: Sternklar

Kurier, 14.2.2009: ".....Christoph'Jericho'Wundrak on cornett and eufonium is a wonderful musical partner to Leo Lukas. ......That's evil, very evil. Highly philosophic. And foxy."

For a long time artistic shows were forbidden on Christmas Eve in Austria. Already in the 1970ies unscrupulous artists, not beeing interested in legality, sensed the possible business opportunities with lonesome and family-frustrated people – and look: it worked!
In 1987 Irene S., Leo Lukas, Simon Pichler, Fritz Pletzer and Bernd Luef decided to nibble at the christmas cake and founded „The Blue Angles“. First Night: 24.December 1987 in the „Green Spider“ in Graz. Since 1993 „The Blue Angles“ have performed their shows in the two weeks before Christmas Eve in the Theatercafé in Graz. From 1992 to 1998 there was Stefan Oser on Guitar/Comp/Arr, followed by Reinhold Kogler in 2000. At the age of 13 Teresa Lukas had her first appearence as a Blue Angel in 1995 and stayed until now. In 1997 the Bass-player Gerhard Steinrück became a Fixangel.
Since 1992 CW has offered his services to „The Blue Angles“ as musician, composer and arranger. In this context he has exeeded his brass instrument repertory and has also played guitar, bass-guitar, recorder, percussion. Now, he even performes as vocalist sometimes.

SHOWS since 1988:

1988: Kurtisanenparty für Patisanenkurti – with presentation of the music-cassette: The blue Angels“ (Party of Courtesans for Kurt of the partisans)

1990: Die World Berühmten (The World Famous)

1992: Sommerengel (Summer-Angles) Graz, Kasematten-Stage with „Mirror“ and first with CW.                                                                     The children with the matches, Stubenberghaus, Schöckel

1993: The Greatest Fights of the Century

1995: Verkaufts mei Gwand (Sell my clothes/first with Teresa Lukas)

1996: Blue Animals (first with Gerhard Steinrück)

1997: Gesammelter Unrat (Collected rubbish) – and presentation of the CD having the same name.

1998: Im Strudel der Hormone – Was Sie noch nie über Sex wissen wollten. (In the swirl of hormones – what you never wanted to know about sex.)

2000: Heimat, wo ma’s Hei maht  (Homecountry, where the hay is mown/first with R.Kogler)

2001: Who killed Misses Colombo       

2002: Ein Pilz namens Walter (A mushroom called Walter).

2003: Sempern und Sudern (complain and lament).

2004: Circus Maximus

2005: Wenn Engel reisen (When angels travel). 

2007: Jubiläum (Jubilee)            

2009: Hotel Engel (Hotel Angel)

Actual Casting:

• Irene S.: Voc, guitar, percussion, lyrics and words, recorder 
  
• Teresa Lukas: voc.
• Leo Lukas: Voc, guitar, recorder, percussion, lyrics and words, composition, director.
• Simon Pichler: voc, lyrics and words, organisation
• Christoph Wundrak: cornet, flugelhorn, euphonium, recorder, voc, comp./arr.
• Reinhold Kogler: guitars, accordion, voc., lyrics, arr./comp., trump.
• Gerhard Steinrück: bass, rehersal-room
• Bernd Luef: Percussion, comp./arr., voc.

Listening-example: Da Pfoarra von Fischamend

There we are: Jane Kola, the american Star of Soup-Operas comes to Austria and invites for the Presentation of her book. But who in fact is this Jane Kola? She wanted to give up everything for theatre and the climax of her career was even "The Virgin of Orleans", but this way was rough and bad payed above all. So she just saw one way out finally:"Sex sells". If there would'nt have been this book......                                                                              

This is a satirical Odyssey through the world of stage written and played by the Vienniese actress/author Andrea Schramek. In this kabarettistic play CW is on stage as musician(Cornettist) and wordless bodyguard and responsible for the music-playback, which he did in cooperation with Reinhold Kogler. Director in this production was Andreas Moldaschl.

www.andrea-schramek.at

Listening-example: Shooting Stars         Shooting Stars on Youtube, Part 1

Kleine Ztg, Krone                                                      Shooting Stars on Youtube, Part 2

JAZZTETT FORUM GRAZ: The Longtime-Bigprojekt of Berndt Luef, where CW is invited as a guestmusician on the eufonium sometimes. There are some CDs from former days, when CW was a Fixmember of this Group.(- 1996) Some Fixmembers now: Axel Mayer(Tpt/Flh), Klemens Pliem(Saxes, Flute) Patrick Dunst(Saxes, Basscl), Torsten Zimmermann(Bass), Dragan Tabacovic(guit)

www.berndtluef.at        Listening-example: Bus 63

LOST LABELLOS: This group lead by the ingenious accordeonist/singer Lothar Lässer uses to play on streetparades. Fixpart of the casting  is Accordeon/Tuba(played by CW)/Snaredrum, loined by 1 - 4 Hornplayers(Tpt, Saxophones), sometimes electric violin too. Allthrough famous guys from the styrian scene: Richie Winkler, Fred Lang, Gernot Strebl, Kurt Bauer..... The Repertoire consists of well known jazz-standards and streetsongs.

www.laesser.kilu.de


EWIGES KIND is an international (A,D, CZ, HU, F, I, USA) music-perfomance-group, to which CW came in 2005.“Ewiges Kind“ is a quotation by the austrian painter Egon Schiele who’s books inspired the group in their beginnings. In the mean time „Ewiges Kind“ is interpreting own compositions and words. Some members of the actual but changing casting: Agnes Kutas(H)-Voc/Violin, Maren Rahmann(D)-Voice, Mikes Mutschler(D)-Guitar, Tomas Zizka(CZ)-'Roots'-percussion/Voc, Jaroslav Koran(CZ) - Drums

www.ewigeskind.com Listening-example: Caravan

WUWA-DUO:  This blowing Duo(Alto-sax/Eufonium) exists since 2008 and plays traditionell and alpine Jazztunes at social occasions, brunches, openings etc. But we also do (traditionell) Funerals. In general the WuWa-Duo operates completely 'unplugged'(without technical equipment), which means flexibility in local movement.(by request)

Andreas Waltl: Altosaxophone  Christoph Wundrak: Eufonium

EDISON TADEU DA SILVA & SO DE SACANAGEM: 'Brasilian Rock&Roll' one could call the music of this group lead by the brasilian singer/percussionist dison Tadeu. Some members of the band are old friends of CW: Stefan Oser(guitar), Robbie Stützle(Drums) or Torsten Zimmermann(Bass). CW here plays Trumpet and flugelhorn.

www.edisontadeu.com          www.myspace.com/sodesacanagem

ZÜNDSCHNÜRE(SLOW MATCHES): This group of the german director, author and singer Hans Fräulin interprets mainly political folksongs and songs against war from the 70ies/80ies, for example songs by W.Biermann, A.Degenhart, Brecht/Weill, etc. The last years musicians like Irene S.(Voc), Franz Schmuck(perc) or Henrik Sande(organ, guitar,violin) have been members. CW here first of all uses the eufonium as a bass-instrument.

Actual casting: Hans Fräulin: Voc, guitar, lyrics  Henrik Sande: organ, guitar, violin CW: eufonium

www.pickuptheater.com

STYRIAN JAZZ&BLUES QUARTETT: Traditionell instrumental jazz for different occasions. Beneath the eufonium CW here also plays the electric bass sometimes.

Andreas Waltl: Saxophones Walter Rath: trombone Titow Griem: Guitar CW: Eufonium, E-Bass

www.jazz-brewery.com    Listening-example: CW-Shuffle