Reflex - Jazz Thing Next Generation Vol. 86

When Dornbusch plays, he doesn't necessarily do it according to the book. His maxims are: experiment, try things out and avoid repetitions if possible. “I concern myself far too little with theory. I prefer composing from my moods.” Fewer notes. Just let your feeling and form on the day flow. As a result, the same piece can regularly sound different in key, rhythm and harmonic variations.

For this, open, flexible kindred spirits are needed, who also have an excellent command of their instrument. Therefore, it took much longer than just a few phone calls to put together Projektor, this young research quintet with the pianist Johanna Summer, the guitarist Johannes Mann, the bassist Roger Kintopf and the drummer Philip Dornbusch (who curiously is not related to the man on the tenor saxophone; the tiny difference lies in the “l” in the first name

“Boss” Dornbusch naturally composed with notes, wrote down certain parts quite precisely to consolidate the basic idea of the respective piece, but leaves at least as much open. In this context, the saxophonist often speaks of the “character of music” or of the “atmosphere”, encouraging his fellow musicians to play completely freely as well as unpredictable solos. Dornbusch thus proves to be the somewhat different architect. “I draw the plan for a house, the floor plan, the fireplace and certain rooms. The others can add the rest with all their creativity.”