Eberhard Weber
Einige Anmerkungen zum Werdegang des Jazz-Bassisten Eberhard Weber
The discussion here centers around the bass playing protagonist of the ECM company - around a musician and composer who, on his way to becoming an internationally recognized jazz pro, never lost sight of himself, his surroundings, and above all of his background. Elements of an independent way of playing were recognizable quite early, were consequently expanded and extended to form his present individual style; his compositions have become milestones in the development of European jazz - an artform which does not constantly squint in the direction of America, but finds its roots in Occidental music's tradition and conception. Eberhard Weber and similarly intended musicians formed and form the ECM label and not vice versa; they were lucky in finding a courageous and idealistic producer who, from his side, helped them achieve an international breakthrough; together, all involved wrote a new chapter in jazz history.
This work attempts, starting tn the year 1964 with Weber's setting out in the above mentioned direction - long before the founding of ECM - to trace his further development as a jazz musician, based on selected examples, with the assistance of transcriptions; a claim on biographical completeness is not made - significant points of his activity until 1977 provide the setting. A comprehensive chronological discography at the end of the work provides a glimpse into Eberhard Weber's complete works (excluding film music) and allows additional biographical inferences.