After we had successfully realized the first "Wiebelfetzer Workshop" plus a double LP in spring 1971, creative exuberance was the order of the day. The times were free. Free, because in this transitional phase from jazz to other, new styles of music, everything was open. So Wiebelfetzer was the beginning for us. I don't know if it was because of a joint that I made this sketch with the idea of setting up four stages and putting the conductor (Ole Thilo, of course) in the middle.
The question to Ole (meanwhile back in Copenhagen), if he could write music to it? Yes, he was enthusiastic about the idea! What were the possibilities? Circular effect, or conducting "crosswise"? Ole brought in first ideas.
Who should be there? Which instruments on which stage?
Which "special guest" should we invite? It was also a matter of finding out which musicians were currently in the area. Finally, Pierre Favre was to be there, too, who
then put together the line-up for stage 1. Barre Phillips was available and Pierre convinced Jean-Luc Ponty to join in. And Jürg Grau got the chance to play with internationally known cracks. There was also the proposal to invite Gato Barbieri (who then lived in Italy), who showed no interest when I called him.
Because Pierre and Jürg Grau were twins in the horoscope, Ole named the band 1 "Gemini".
STAGE 1
«GEMINI»
Jean-Luc Ponty (viol)
Jürg Grau (tp)
Barre Phillips (b)
Pierre Favre (dr)
A fat brass section was needed. Why not a cello as well? Those who know the later well-known «Platzspitz drug doctor» André Seidenberg may not know that he also once played the cello.
STAGE 2
«DEEPNESS»
Runo Ericksson (tb)
Raymond Droz (tb)
Christian Kyhl (as)
Freddy Meier (ts)
Willy Jaegert (ophicleide)
André Seidenberg (cello)
For stage 3 we had the idea to include other former "Africana musicians" besides Jürg Grau and Fredy Meier on stage 1+2. Irene, Makaya, Bally, Jonas and Peter Frei and in addition the angel voice of Anne and the «Krokodil-drummer» Düde on the congas. Alex Bally was used as a noise libero and "jazz singer" in the style of Spike Jones. He brought a sack of sounding fun article instruments.
STAGE 3
«AFROAH»
Irene Schweizer (p)
Jonas C. Haefeli (fl, oboe)
Anne Christiansen (voc)
Alex Bally (voc, efx)
Düde Dürst (congas)
Peter Frei (b)
Makaya Ntshoko (dr)
Ole always wanted to write for a real marching band. We looked in the phone book for possibilities. An orchestra leader was available for this experiment. With the condition of not having to play in uniform. All alone in the same corner of the stage; Danish freedrummer Jørgen Thorup.
STAGE 4
"BLASMUSIK"
Playing section of the Unteroffiziersverein Zürich:
and Jørgen Thorup (dr)
Surprise guest: John Surman
Why John Surman was in town, nobody knows anymore.
I suppose Pierre and Barre Phillips knew he was there. I had already been amazed when Surman just like that, with his baritone sax, meandered without announcement through the audience sitting on the floor.
From Copenhagen came the free group Cyclamium, where Ole was the keyboard player. Kyhl and Jaegert were on stage 2 and Jørgen Thorup with the military brass. Ole as conductor in the center.
