Z-Country Paradise

Jelena Kuljic (SRB) voice
Frank Gratkowski (D) alto sax, bass clarinet
Kalle Kalima (FIN) guitar
Oliver Potratz (D) electric bass
Christian Marien (D) drums

moers:
…..But best-in-fest went easily to German saxophonist Frank Gratkowski’s entirely unexpected Z-Country Paradise. Gratkowski is rarely predictable but here shocked with a punk cabaret project borrowing lyrics from Arthur Rimbaud and other poets. The electric band included Finnish guitarist Kalle Kalima (his K-18 records on TUM are worth seeking out) and was fronted by the alluringly intense Serbian singer and actress Jelena Kuljić. While there were many enjoyable sets presented, Z-Country was the only group that didn’t make its bed in the first few minutes. They weren’t content to set up a single environment and stay there. And especially when playing for an audience that, in large part, is seeing five or more sets a day, such change is good.
THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD | JULY 2015
by kurt gottschalk

 

current CD

 Z-Country Paradise

 

upcoming concerts

No upcoming concerts at the moment.

 

music

Two (Lyrics by Charles Simic) 

Two

My Little Lovelies (Lyrics by Arthur Rimbaud) 

My Little Lovelies

Success 

03 Kollaps II

Season in Hell (Lyrics by Arthur Rimbaud) 

04 Season in Hell

Recorded by Marco Birkner Mixed by Wolfgang Stach @ Maarwegstudio2 in Cologne

 

press pictures

(B&W all by Oliver Potratz, color photo by Sven Thielmann):

 

videos

Live at Moers Festival 2015

 

 

Live at Golem Hamburg