"His voice has all the richness of a cup of finely spiced tea, mellowing and awakening the senses at once." Layla Macoran, NY Culture Examiner
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"Kaestli recalls some Mel Torme but really makes everything his own. A wonderfully wacky excursion, you can get transported from the Weimar Republic to Nawlins within the same song. A solid bet for urbane tastes, this could almost kick off a new format, adult underground. Hot stuff." MIDWEST RECORD, CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor
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"Beat Kaestli is special and a very different experience in vocal jazz". Peter Kuller, Radio Adelaide - Australia
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"Packed with talent, captivating style and outstanding musicianship." Bob Collins WRHU - Hempstead, NY
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"Kaestli is surely an original. He is a singer, songwriter, arranger and producer and scores in all the categories." Barry Bassis - Town and Village, NY
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"I'm also very impressed with Beat Kaestli's new disc. "Far From Home" finds him really establishing himself as a major force in the vocal jazz world!" Mike Reisz, WDPS Dayton,
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"The very apparent and vivid vocal skills of Beat and the first rate musicians make it a truly engaging project that will keep you on your toes." Joost van Steen (Host/producer Jazz & Blues Tour), The Netherlands
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"Kaestli’s originals, many with very attractive melodies and solid instrumentation, sung with great feeling" George Fendel - Jazz Society of Oregon
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"His voice is more melancholy than the blues" Valdosta Daily Times, NY
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New York Band:
Ben Stivers – piano and nord keyboard
Gavin Fallow – bass
Bill Campell – drums
Featuring:
Magos Herrera – voice
Gregoire Maret – harmonica
Kenny Rampton - trumpet
Christian Howes – violin
Victor Prieto – accordion
Ryan Scott – electric and acoustic guitar
Guilherme Monteiro – acoustic guitar
Chris Theberge – percussion
Carlos Darci– percussion
EU Band:
Tino Derado – piano and accordion
Sven Faller – bass
Martin Kolb – drums
Fany Kammerlander – cello
Arranged and Produced by Ben Stivers and Beat Kaestli
Executive Producer: Beat Kaestli
“Far from Home – A Tribute to European Song” is a project close to Swiss Jazz vocalist Beat Kaestli’s heart. Residing in New York City since 1993, he enjoyed a very diverse experience in this music metropolis, ranging from Jazz to R&B, Gospel to Musical Theater and Latin rhythms. After refining his education in Jazz performance at the renowned Manhattan School of Music (BA) and Aaron Copeland School of Music (MA), he started to reflect back to his European roots. The result is this tribute to European song and composers – past and present. It’s inspired by the perspective of a young European artist living in New York blending the rich musical heritage from Europe with the musical and cultural diversity of New York, where musicians and cultures from all around the world meet and tap into the creative energy of this vital place.
Firmly rooted in Jazz and the craftsmanship of European song, this tribute takes you all around the world and taps into a multitude of stylistic references. It boldly fuses French opera with the New Orleans Jazz tradition, lightly hints on the tango from Argentina and easily blends Brazil, New York, Spain and Mexico into a song about a long distance love affaire. It helps you escape a rainy day in London to the island of Puerto Rico, just to mournfully lead you back into the Swiss Alps and sad good-byes in Germany. Finally however, it lifts you up with the magic of a new romance and the promise of lasting love set in Paris. A fitting praise to Beat Kaestli’s roots and musical heritage, to New York City and to Jazz in it’s many forms and nationalities.
About Beat Kaestli:
Beat Kaestli is a vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer residing in New York City. He moved to New York from his native home of Switzerland, where he was awarded a scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music (BM). In 2007 he received a scholarship from the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation and graduated in 2008 with a Masters Degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music (MA). While honing his craft alongside noteworthy Jazz performers, such as Jane Monheit, Jason Moran and Stefon Harris, he immersed himself in Manhattan’s fiercely competitive music scene, emerging as a seasoned performer. He now appears in clubs such as The Blue Note, Birdland, The Bitter End, The Jazz Standard, The Stone and Sweet Rhythm, performing with Jazz greats, like Esperanza Spalding, Clarence Penn, Joel Frahm, Billy Drummond and Victor Prieto. In 2005, Beat was the chosen vocalist for the Glenn Miller Orchestra, thrilling audiences in concert halls across the USA. Since the release of his acclaimed CD “Happy, Sad and Satisfied” in 2006 he is touring the world extensively with his own projects, showcasing his music in renowned clubs and at festivals across the US, Europe, Mexico and Canada.
I would love to... but how could I do that? hahaha yesterday i went to a nice jazz club the first quartet was good but the other, was good but kind of boring... I prefer you and I talking about my needs... and you know?? I've met someone who's probably spongeworthy hahahahaha
hola como estan grasias por el add me dio mucho gusto ver su invitacion para amigos aqui en myspace seguro que estaremos en contacto y les comentare de su espace a todo el grupo. yo soy edy el muchacho del guitarron y en nombre de todo el grupo les mandamos un cordial saludo y abraso
que esten muy bien suerte
hahaha you can write me to nalgasplanas@gmail.com Needs start with G hahaha you make me laugh a lot and the people around me asked me what I was laughing about and I had to lie!! Talking to you made me forgot about the dutch assholes! haha
Hi! You won't believe me but I was thinking about you! hahaha I'm in Vancouver, CA now and I just received an email from the University in Holland where it says that I am not admitted... :( So I won't send you the pictures ever hahaha :) big kiss!
Congratulations. We really like your music. Really was all a honor and a pleasure to have alternated with you. We hope we can alternate again in other festival. Greetings. KIRIKU.
